Accra, Oct. 5, GNA - National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has congratulated teachers for their dedication and contribution to improve standards in the educational system. NUGS said teachers provided qualified and skilled human resources for national development.

This was contained in a statement issued by NUGS and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday to commemorate this year's Internationa= l Teachers Day. It was jointly signed by Mr Osman Ayariga, President and Mr Austin Brako-Powers, Press and Information Secretary. World Teachers' Day is held annually on October 5, to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels. It also commemorates the anniversary of the 1966 signature of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This year's celebration would focus on the theme, "Teachers for Gend= er Equality".

The statement said Ghana had benefited tremendously from the numerous and invaluable services provided by men and women in the classrooms. "These gallant men and women have worked their hearts out to nurture and weave in students' good qualities that are invaluable to the forward march of Ghana," it said.

The statement stressed the need to appreciate efforts of teachers to impart knowledge and in spite of the dangerous conditions in which some of them had to work, they discharged their responsibilities to the maximum. It explained that some teachers had been compelled to teach pupils under trees and some were harassed by traditional leaders. The statement called on government to recognise and respect the voice of teachers and their associations with regards to the formulation of policies within their remit and beyond to help boost their commitment to th= e country.