Accra, (Greater Accra) 25 Feb. '99,

Mr Kwabena Kyere, a Deputy Minister of Education, on Thursday called on Ghanaians to encourage teachers to give of their best. Mr Kyere, who was launching the "Teachers' Fund" in Accra, said teachers must be recognised as the most important component in the promotion of quality education and expressed the hope that they would perform creditably if given the chance. "For the nation's effort to reform the educational system and deliver quality education to our children, the welfare of the teacher must be paramount. "The search for quality education can be attained if we are able to have in the classroom in the remotest corner of Ghana, a competent, motivated, innovative and contented teacher". Mr Kyere noted that when the standards of education in Ghana were considered to be appreciably high, society upheld the need for education and regarded the teacher as a role model and a source of counsel for the community. "Regrettably, this esteemed position that the teacher enjoyed has become a thing of the past. The recent spate of physical attacks on teachers by parents, and even students, is ample testimony of the lowering of esteem of the teacher". Mr Kyere assured them of the government's assistance, adding that the Ministry of Education was providing incentive packages to boost their morale. He expressed satisfaction about the establishment of the fund and urged its managers to exhibit a high sense of probity, accountability and integrity to make it successful. The fund will, among other things, supplement the retirement benefits of members, provide emergency relief, seed capital for part-time business and serve as collateral at a fee for bank loans intended for housing projects. Mr Kyere underscored the need for private participation in funding tertiary education to supplement government's efforts. He, therefore, appealed to private organisations to join the government in partnership to fund education so that more resources can be realised for the primary and secondary levels, which are critical for laying the foundation for quality education.