Apam (C/R), Feb. 16, GNA - Teachers in Gomoa District have commended the government for making human resource development a top priority under 'Positive Change Chapter Two'.

They, however, appealed to the government to review the decision to grant only 3,000 teachers nationwide study leave to pursue courses in tertiary institutions including the universities. At a meeting at Apam on Tuesday, the teachers described the quota system of granting study leave as contradiction to the government's human resource development programme.

"Human resources could not be developed without giving teachers the chance to upgrade their knowledge and skills." The teachers also expressed dissatisfaction with the process of approval of their study leave, saying applicants never received any response until they were offered admission into the various institutions.

They appealed to the government to absorb fees of their colleagues who were pursuing Distance Education Programme to motivate them to stay in the classroom and pursue further studies.

They called on the authorities to extend the Students' Loan Scheme, managed by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, to cover teachers pursuing the distance education programme.

Mr Kingsley Poku Kodua, Deputy Regional GNAT Secretary appealed to the government and the district assemblies to come out with a list of deprived areas to enable teachers know those who are entitled to special incentives being provided for workers who are serving in those areas. Mr Thomas Arthur, Gomoa District GNAT Secretary appealed to District Directors of Education to form committees to handle payment of teachers transfer grants and Transport and Travelling (T&T) expenses to enhance efficiency.

Nana Mireku II, the District Chairman of the association, urged teachers to comport themselves in and outside the classroom. "You should know the type of people you move with and avoid excessive drinking, especially in public," he advised.