Berekum (B/A), Aug. 14, GNA- Mrs. Belinda Addo, Berekum District Director of Education has urged teacher trainees to take their studies seriously since the country needs the right calibre of teachers to help achieve its educational objectives.

She expressed concern about some students, described as "square pegs in round holes" and often put up certain behaviours unbecoming of persons trained to take up leadership role in society".

The District Director said this in a speech read for her at the opening of the ninth annual delegates congress of the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti regional sector of Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana at Berekum.

The Congress had the theme, "Quality Teacher Education, a Key to Ghana's Development; The Role of the Teacher Trainee".

Mrs. Addo noted that education in the country had undergone successive reforms, all in an attempt to look for quality education and quality teacher education.

She expressed the hope that students in teacher training colleges would make full use of the opportunity offered them to raise the standard of education in the country.

Dr Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, Principal of Sunyani Polytechnic, noted that if teachers were adequately rewarded as other professionals, the negative perception about teachers could be erased.

"They should be given enhanced salaries and allowances for the important role they play in opening doors to a better world," he said. He however, conceded that the behaviour and attitudes of some teachers and teacher trainees also contributed to the negative image of the profession.

He said indiscipline and acts of lawlessness of some teachers and teacher trainees were matters of serious concern. Dr Nsiah-Gyabaah mentioned reports of teachers defiling or impregnating school children, which had resulted in lack of respect and confidence for teachers.

He expressed the hope that in spite of the constraints and the crisis in education, teacher trainees would show patriotism and continue to play their role for national development.

Mr. Paul Awume, President of the Association said it was the aim of the trainees to collaborate with other students and youth groups to find lasting solutions to negative practices that undermined development.