Regional News of Tuesday, 31 May 2005

Source: GNA

Government urged to facilitate establishment of more Distance Education

centres

Asankrangwa (W/R), May 31, GNA - The Government has been urged to support universities engaged in the Distance Education Programme to enable them to open more centres throughout the country to enhance the objectives of the plan.

Mr Ben K. Osei, Head of Organisation and Administration of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), said the creation of more centres would enable teachers serving in deprived areas to also benefit from the programme.

He was addressing the second quadrennial delegates conference of the GNAT in the Wassa Amenfi District at Asankrangwa on Monday. The conference was under the theme: "The Teacher as a Crucial Element in Developing Education in Ghana".

Mr Osei emphasised that the only way to make teachers give of their best and sustain their interest in the effort to provide quality education was to reward them adequately.

Mr Joseph E. Amissah, Western Regional GNAT Secretary, said series of workshops aimed at improving the academic efficiency and professional conduct of teachers were being planned by the Association. He said as from next academic year, National Service personnel would be recruited to teach in primary and junior secondary schools. Mr Alberto Terkyi, the acting District Chief Executive announced that the Assembly would soon establish a teacher's resource centre with computers and Internet facilities to facilitate their work. In a resolution read by Mr Daniel Adzoma, the District GNAT Secretary, the conference called on district assemblies to provide accommodation for teachers.

It said teachers were being encouraged to take civil action against parents, who molest them without any provocation. Mr Kofi Attiabah Amoah, assistant headmaster of Asankrangwa Secondary School was elected chairman of the Association. Other officers elected were Mr Wilson Gamey, vice chairman, Madam Cecilia Boadi; treasurer, Mr John K. Gyimah; trustee and Madam Cecilia Ackerson; GNAT-LAS representative.