Akropong (Ash), Jan. 7, GNA - Mr Eddy Obeng-Darko, Atwima District Director of Education, has attributed the low academic output in Atwima-Akropong Catholic basic schools to the teacher's poor professional performance as a result of in-fighting among themselves.

The school, which had hitherto performed creditably in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) he said, performed poorly of late due to the uncooperative and ineffective teaching methods some of the teachers.

Mr Obeng-Darko was speaking at an educational durbar organised by the District Education Directorate at Akropong in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District on Thursday to address the persistent misunderstanding and rift between the teachers and the headteacher, which had affected the school's academic output and discipline.

Chiefs, teachers, parents, School Management Committee (SMC), assembly and unit committee members, religious leaders, opinion leaders and other stakeholders in education attended the durbar. Mr Obeng-Darko cautioned the teachers against any acts that would undermine the school's administration and effective supervision, adding: "Recalcitrant teachers would be severely sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others".

Mr Polycarp Assafuah, Deputy Ashanti Regional Manager of the Catholic Education Unit, stressed that recognised stakeholders in education had the responsibility to conduct routine inspection in schools to promote efficient education delivery.

He asked the teachers to give due recognition and respect to any of the stakeholders who visited the school.

Mr Assafuah urged them to desist from any unprofessional attitude and conduct that tend to affect performance, which consequently affect the image of the teaching profession.

Mr Osei Kwarteng, assemblyman for the area, called for unity and understanding between the teachers and the headteacher.

Nana Gyamfi Acheampong, Nifahene of Akropong, expressed the community's disappointment about the teachers' attitude to work and said the traditional rulers would ensure that children in the area were offered quality education.

Nana Baffour Awuah Sarkodie II, the Gyaasehene and chairman of the local SMC, said the school had produced many intellectuals, academicians and eminent citizens since its establishment about 80 years ago and advised the teachers to be committed and work extra hard to reverse the school's poor academic output and discipline.