06-10-2011
The Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) had with the support of other sister associations has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 17th edition of the World Teachers Day celebration on the theme: Teachers for Gender Equality”. This year’s event which took place at the regional capital, Bolgatanga, attracted various stakeholders including the Regional Council of GNAT, Municipal and District Chief Executives as well as district directors of education among other key personalities. In his welcome address, the Regional Chairman of GNAT, Stephen Gebute acknowledged the invaluable contribution of teachers to nation’s development and further used the opportunity to commend government for the numerous interventions into education delivery in the country. The day he said is being celebrated to draw society’s attention to the status of the teacher and to crave society’s indulgence to the need to give reverence and honour to the teaching profession. Mr Gebute mentioned that GNAT as the most vibrant teacher’s organization in the country would continue to play its role as a major actor in the educational sector and assured that efforts would be made to see themselves in the vanguard for the provision of a united and responsible labour front for teachers. Additionally GNAT shall continue to ensure job security for its members and importantly create effective avenues for teachers to ventilate their grievances. Mr Gebute asked government to demonstrate its commitment to improving the lives of teachers through increased remuneration packages and therefore take bold steps to increase investment in the education sector since it is the only way to win the global fight against fallen standards of education and gender equality. He later proposed that the day be declared a public holiday as teaching is the mother of all professions. The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Mr. Alfred Ndago who is also the Principal for St John Bosco’s College of Education, touched on the relevance of the theme ,describing it as timely and appropriate taken into consideration the backdrop of concerns raised about gender inequality in politics, education, and workplaces and other economic sectors of the country. To him, collective efforts in ensuring gender equality depend on the contribution of the government, teachers, parents and pupils and not the sole responsibility of the teacher. He said as a way forward, teachers and education practitioners create equal learning opportunities for boys and girls to enable them flourish and reach their full potentials devoid of discrimination and intimidation. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Lucy Awuni expressed grave concern about the continuous fallen standard of education in the region and the country as a whole, and craved the indulgence of all stakeholders to join in the crusade to reverse the trend. She also appealed to GNAT and other sister associations to redouble their effort in reducing the growing public perception that sees women as less productive and intellectually inferior. Awards in the form of laptop computers, wax prints and citations were given out to deserving teachers that showed true commitment and dedication to duty.
GBC END IA/
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