GNAT urged to safeguard education legacy
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) must strive to preserve the legacy of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and its founding vision, a former Head of Professional Development Department of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Matthew Adjardjah, has urged.
He said though the education sector had seen significant institutional restructuring over the years, it was imperative that GNAT maintained its role as a vigilant stakeholder, particularly in safeguarding teacher welfare and protecting the institutional memory of Ghana’s pre-tertiary education service.
He made the call at the 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Accra Metro West District of GNAT at the PWIC Dome in Accra, while delivering his keynote address.
The conference, which was on the theme “50 Years of achievements, teacher motivation, challenges and the way forward”, brought together municipal directors of education in the district, teachers, union leaders and stakeholders in education to assess progress made over the past four years and elect new district executives.
History
During his address, Mr Adjardjah traced the trajectory of education reforms in Ghana from the colonial period to the present, highlighting the evolution of the GES, which was formally established through the Ghana Teaching Service Decree (NRCD 247) in 1974 and later renamed Ghana Education Service.
He lamented the current fragmentation of responsibilities within the sector, indicating that the GES, which once had comprehensive oversight of teacher training, curriculum development and textbook design, had now ceded much of its authority to multiple agencies such as the National Teaching Council (NTC), National Council for Curriculum Assesment NACCA and Teachnical and Vocational Education and Traning (TVET).
Teacher motivation
Mr Adjardjah also underscored the need to improve the motivation and remuneration of teachers, arguing that the nation’s professed prioritisation of education was not reflecting in the conditions of service for teachers.
He said the delays in upgrading teachers after further studies as well as discrepancies in postings and promotions were sources of frustration for many in the profession.
To teachers
The Municipal Director of Education for the Ayawaso Municipal Education Office, Agustus Owusu, commended teachers for their tireless service and commitment to the development of education over the past 50 years.
He described the conference as a timely occasion for introspection, urging teachers to reflect not only on achievements but also on areas needing reform.
The director reaffirmed his office’s support for teachers and expressed optimism that with the right motivation and continued collaboration with GNAT, the challenges facing the profession could be surmounted.
