Licensing of teachers not a big deal — GNAT

Licensing of teachers: Not a big deal — GNAT THE Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) says the proposed licensing of teachers “is not a big deal” since it will be of benefit to teachers.

“Over the years, our profession has not been classified as a profession. It has been classified as a service so if there is a law that would want to make our job professional, why wouldn’t we embrace it,” the General Secretary of GNAT, Mr David Ofori Acheampong, stated.

 He explained that, “inasmuch as the law would help the employer to weed off bad teachers, it would also give teachers a bigger hand when they are demanding their pound of flesh.”

He was addressing the fifth quadrennial conference of the Brong Ahafo Regional branch of GNAT in Sunyani last Friday.

The conference was on the theme: “Transforming societies through education, the 2030 agenda – The role of the Teacher.”

Licensing examinations

He said teachers were not afraid of licensing examinations since they had already gone through certification by the University of Cape Coast.

According to Mr Acheampong, teachers therefore had no problem with the licensing issue because the association had notified them over the past five years by including excerpts of Act 778 in the GNAT diaries.

“So we are not scared of examination. All that we are asking is that they must do the right thing,” he said.

Caution

He cautioned teachers against fraudulent activities in the discharge of their duties.

The General Secretary cited the case of some teachers who connived with some staff of the Controller and Accountant General’s office to defraud the State.

Mr Acheampong said such people would definitely be found out and made to pay back such undeserved monies.

Touching on the extension of school hours, he said teachers had been asked to perform certain functions, therefore if the employer wanted to vary the period of work, then that would call for negotiations.

Advice

The Omanhene of the Nsoatre Traditional Area, Obrempong Professor Amoah Konomansah II, said if Ghana was to be transformed through education, teachers must have scholarly aptitude, sense of duty, high moral values and love to make an impact on students.

Obrempong Konomansah stated that a 2030 agenda of transforming societies through education must not be a mere talk shop, but an agenda that sets out clearly defined codes and modalities to equip teachers with the necessary tools needed to make the profession attractive and congenial.

Writer’s email: Emmanuel.gyamerah@graphic.com.gh/nanadu63@gmail.com