Bolgatanga, March 9, GNA - A one-day Regional Congress of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has ended in Bolgatanga.

The congress had as its theme: "Human Resources Development for Quality Secondary School Education - The Role of The Graduate Teacher". In an address, Mr Kwami Alorvi, National President of the Association, called on teachers to exhibit a high level of discipline to enable the Association to fight for better conditions of service for its members.

Mr. Alorvi noted that the Association, under his leadership has succeeded in getting graduate teachers promoted to the rank of Principal Superintendent in August 2001 and issued with their promotion letters. He said he was not happy with the Controller and Accountant General's office for the persistent deduction of NAGRAT members dues for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in spite of interventions from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

He said NAGRAT would sue GNAT if the deductions persisted and called on members to be prepared to furnish the Association's lawyers with the facts.

He said 40 teachers have benefited from the Retirement and Death Scheme totalling 150 million cedis.

Mr. Alorvi called on NAGRAT members to delay their planned national strike until the National Council had appraised the issues.

He appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to, as a matter of urgency adjust the salaries of graduate Assistant Directors and other senior ranks in the GES.

Mr. Nicholas Nayembil, Bolgatanga Acting Municipal Director of Education, noted that NAGRAT needed to undertake a membership drive and keep an up-to-date register of members.

He said newly graduated teachers are afraid of joining the Association because it is a new one, adding that members of the association should live above reproach to attract more members into their fold.