The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has, at its 90th Anniversary commemoration, decried the politicisation of issues affecting her members in the country.
According to the association, governments and politicians deceive teachers by promising them allowances which they fail to fulfil.
Speaking at the launch, President of the association, Mrs. Philippa Larsen, lamented the poor conditions under which her members have been working over the years.
She noted that “teachers continue to work in deplorable conditions, receiving poor pay and yet” are not recognized in the critical role they play in national development.
She also stated that “some walk several kilometres to school because they have no means of transport.”
These challenges in question, Mrs Larsen described as worrying politicians’ claims that they are improving upon the welfare of the teachers.
According to her the politicians have only been paying “lip services” to her members.
She therefore urged that they put their words into action to motivate the teachers to work more effectively to the nation’s good.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, noted that the Government has done a lot and continues to do its best to help lessen the challenges faced by teachers in the country.
Having been a teacher before and served under the teacher unions, the Minister promised to use the experiences gained to engage leaders of the unions to chart a course towards enhancing teaching and learning process in the country.
That notwithstanding, both sides—GNAT and Ministry—have agreed to deploy technologies to aid academic work in schools across the country.
Also present at the programme was Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah and other speakers who lauded the achievements of GNAT over the past 90 years.
