Speaking recently during a recent public forum, the leadership of teachers in Ghana asked Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to be more attentive to concerns and wellbeing of teachers if his determination to solidify his political standing going toward the 2024 elections was anything to go by. These comments came during a gathering of teachers held in Accra, where various stakeholders in the education sector echoed the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the nation's future.
Addressing the Vice President, Mr. Kwaku Osei-Bonsu, a senior teacher and union leader, indicated that teachers have been undervalued far too long and play a crucial role in developing the country. He asked Bawumia and the ruling New Patriotic Party to declare policies that address the challenges faced by teachers: an increase in their salaries, improvement in their working conditions, and increase in professional development opportunities.
Teachers are the backbone of any society. No leader can ever be truly successful without their commitment, said Osei-Bonsu. He continued and added that the result of the 2024 elections would come down to how much heed and attention the government pays to and caters to the needs of the educational sector.
Other teachers present at the rally also echoed such sentiments, as educators in the profession feel there is growing frustration due to low wages, delayed promotions, and a general lack of resources within the schools. Many said unless the government acts quickly to ameliorate these situations, it stands in jeopardy of alienating a key bloc of voters in the impending election.
Present at the gathering was Dr. Bawumia, who first acknowledged the grievances of the teachers but insisted that some improvements have been made in the education sector, such as the introduction of the free SHS policy. He conceded, however, that much is yet to be done to improve the conditions of the teachers and promised that beginning in the coming months, he would look into their concerns.
The call for increased attention to education and teacher welfare comes at a time when the political competition is becoming fierce amid the forthcoming presidential elections of 2024, and many analysts believe that the educational sector could turn out to be determining in the results.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0