Regional News of Sunday, 30 October 2005

Source: GNA

Teachers and Media called to task

Mampong (Ash), Oct 30, GNA - Mr Haruna Oppong, Sekyere West District Chief Executive (DCE) on Thursday said, the successful implementation of the nation's new educational reform programme, which extended the duration for Senior Secondary School (SSS) education to four years centred on the role of the media and teachers. The media was to constantly monitor the implementation process of the new reform programme and draw attention of authorities and the public/partners to significant problems and possible responses. Addressing the Principal and Management of Asante Mampong Technical Teachers College (MTTC), the DCE, said, such media coverage would encourage Ghanaians' investment and critical interest in education and for that matter, the reform programme.

They were at his office to congratulate him on his appointment as the DCE and to brief him on the situation at the nation's premier Technical Teachers Collage.

The reform programme, yet to be implemented, increased the duration for the Senior Secondary School (SSS) education from three to four years with emphasis on kindergarten, technical and vocational education. He challenged teachers to deliver in order to mirror the programme's objective amid speculations that they would sabotage the programme because they were poorly motivated. Mr. Oppong said that the government would provide the necessary educational materials and logistics, consistent with its resource to facilitate education and development.

He promised to improve the infrastructure base of MTTC in terms of teachers' accommodation, classroom blocks and dormitories. The Principal, Mr. Leonard Yao Amuzu, said, heads of various basic schools have indicated that products of MTTC have distinguished themselves in discharge of their professional duties and urged them to help sustain the splendid performance.

Such compliment, the Principal noted was connected with high academic standard brought about by much discipline. The College, he said guaranteed nothing but "ordered" freedom, an expression, he said was often used by the court to indicate that freedom was subjected to command.