Stop victimising teachers for not attending PLC sessions - E/R NAGRAT appeals to school heads

The Eastern Regional Chapter of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has asked headmasters and headmistresses of senior high schools (SHSs) in the region to stop victimising members of the association on their staff for failing to attend Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions.

According to the association, it had not been enshrined in the Code of Conduct for Ghana Education Service (GES) staff for teachers to be penalised for not attending PLC sessions.

The association stated that some heads of SHSs had placed embargo on the salaries of teachers for their inability to attend PLC sessions, and insisted that the affected teachers should write an apology letter to that effect before the embargo would be lifted.

At a press conference at its regional secretariat in Koforidua last Friday (October 25), the Eastern Regional Chairman of NAGRAT, Godwin Awoonor-Yevu, said although it was beneficial to attend PLC sessions since it was a tool for their professional development, they should not be penalised if they did not make it.

He said it would also enable them to earn credit points for continuous professional development (CPD) which enhanced their knowledge, understanding, skills and expertise.

Mr Awoonor-Yevu further stated that teachers could make room to attend equally valuable PLC sessions elsewhere to accumulate the same point needed.

Labour Law

Giving further explanation on the issue, he indicated that Section 20 of Act 651 of the Labour Law categorically stated that in any undertaken, every worker shall be entitled to leave for not less than 15 working days with full pay in any calendar year of continuous service.

"Teachers should not be punished for not attending PLC sessions, especially if they have valid reasons for not being able to attend.

"Efforts should be immediately made to accommodate their schedules and ensure that they are able to participate in this important session," the NAGRAT Chairman stated.

Backbone of education

The Regional NAGRAT Chairman said teachers were the backbone of  the education system, and as such they should be supported and given the needed resources to effectively do their jobs and not penalised for negligible omissions.

That, he stated, was not only unfair but also counter productive because it created a hostile work environment that purely undermined their morale.

Victimising teachers

Mr Awoonor-Yevu who mentioned the headmaster of Akwamuman SHS at Akosombo, Asuoko Anim-Addo, for victimising teachers to write apology letters to him before the embargo on their July and August 2024 salaries would be lifted, indicated that NAGRAT in the region would take the matter to its headquarters should Mr Anim-Addo fail to lift the embargo on the salaries of the teachers in question.

He also called on Municipal/District Directors of Education to desist from victimising teachers who fail to attend CPD and PLC sessions by inviting them to their offices to explain why they should not be sanctioned.

The Regional NAGRAT Chairman urged administrators and policy makers to take immediate action to address the issue.

Writer's email haruna. wunpini@ graphic.com.gh