The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Kumasi Metropolis has declared its backing for the decision by teachers of the Asem cluster of schools to stay out of the classroom until their safety assured.

“GNAT wishes to state that we support the decision of the teachers to stay away from the classroom for their safety until the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) initiates appropriate measures to ensure their safety”, it said.

Mr. Victor de Graft-Etsison, the Metropolitan GNAT Chairman, said this when addressing a press conference in Kumasi following an attack on the head teacher of Yaa Asantewaa Basic School, Mr. J.K. Amankwa by a stray bull on the school compound last week.

The victim is on admission at the Accident and Emergency Centre of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) with serious cuts in the head, a dislocated hip and broken right hand.

Mr. de Graft-Etsison said the action by the teachers is backed by the Labour Act 651, Part III section 10(a) and Part XV section 119 (1,2 and 3).

Teachers in that cluster of schools on Monday resolved to close down the schools until steps were taken to protect them and the pupils.

They claimed that petitions sent to the Metropolitan Education Directorate and the KMA to wall the place to ward off miscreants and stray animals had gone unheeded.

Mr. de Graft-Etsison said the combined threat and nuisance of criminals, drug addicts and stray animals had made the environment unfriendly for academic work.

He suggested that security should be provided by the KMA during the working hours from 0630 hours to 1430 hours until a wall is built around the schools.**