Education Minister Condemns Threats On Teachers

The Minister of Education, Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has condemned threats and assault on teachers by some. She said any aggrieved parent should report their grievances to the educational secretariat, rather than taking the law into their own hands. She cautioned teachers and school authorities not to impose illegal fees on school children since education at the basic level is free. Prof Opoku-Agyemang gave the warning at the inauguration of one of the 2.7-million-dollar United States (USAID) Millennium School projects at Zamrama-line in Ablekuma Central in Accra. She asked parents to report the misconduct of any teacher to the Regional Educational Directorates, instead of going to schools to rain insults and attacks on the affected teachers. She said government had recognized the contributions and sacrifices of teachers towards achieving meaningful and quality education, and had listened to their concerns which would be addressed appropriately at all times. Prof Opoku-Agyemang said partnership of school communities and government in achieving quality education for everyone must be the responsibility of all. She urged Ghanaians to contribute to the education of children towards national development, and warned school children to desist from showing disrespect for authority, and study hard and pass their examinations. Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the inauguration of the school was in fulfillment of the Better Ghana Agenda currently under President John Dramani Mahama, to improve the country�s educational system, with sound foundation for the development of the children. He said government made the decision to re-define basic education infrastructure in the country and AMA had taken the first step. Dr Vanderpuije said additional 13 millennium city schools would be constructed, and expressed his appreciation to the USAID for supporting the AMA to achieve the objective of providing 100 millennium city schools in the Accra Metropolis. He announced to the teachers the opportunity of an external training programme in the US to enable them upgrade themselves on best practices for replication in the schools. Mrs Natashi �de Marken, USAID Director of Education in Washington DC, congratulated Dr Vanderpuije for the assembly�s vision in the construction of the school complexes. She said the USAID was committed to a continuing partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, so that every child could have the opportunity to acquire education. �Every educated child is a golden opportunity for Ghana�s future and the American people are supporting Ghanaian efforts so that what children learn will provide elementary literacy and numeracy skills, thereby preparing them to help keep up with global trends and needs,� she stressed.