Nii Armah Ashietey, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, has announced that the 2013 Base Pay of teachers and other government workers has been increased by 10 per cent.

He indicated that the base pay which was previously GH¢4.84 had been increased to GH¢5.32, explaining that the increment aimed at improving the financial status of public sector workers.

He, therefore, implored the workers to reciprocate the gesture by working hard to justify the increment so as to enhance productivity.

Nii Armah Ashietey made the disclosure at the 10th National Delegates and Second Biennial Conference of the National Association of Graduate Teachers in Takoradi.

The Minister revealed that the government and its social partners would soon begin negotiations towards the determination of the 2014 National Daily Minimum Wage and Base Pay, which would be factored into the 2014 Budget

The conference was on the theme: “It all starts with a good teacher,” which brought together graduate teachers all over the country to take stock and strategise for the future.

Professor George Kofi Twentoh Oduro, Chairman of the Takoradi Polytechnic Council, urged teachers to be self-disciplined and meticulous in all their endeavours.

He appealed to them to eschew negative behaviours since it could affect the quality of teaching and learning in schools.

Prof Oduro noted that teachers could not peruse quality education if they are not motivated and, therefore, entreated the government to support them adequately in order for them to give off their best.

He noted that little would be achieved if requisite teaching and learning materials are not provided, saying “no matter how effective a teacher is, little achievement will be recorded if there is no laboratory equipment, positive learning attitude by pupils and professional support”.

Prof Oduro observed that currently, trainees at the teacher training colleges are trained academically just to pass their examinations rather than towards professional competence.

He therefore appealed to the authorities concerned to consider the calibre of students admitted into the colleges of education in order to ensure that they have strong foundation in subject content in order to build on their professionalism.