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Reverend Dr. Martin Bugri Nabu, Chairperson of the Northern Presbytery has called on School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) to help check teacher absenteeism and ensure punctuality in schools. He said it was regrettable to see some teachers, especially those who teach in the rural areas but stay in the urban centres and regularly commute to work, usually arrive at school late and exhausted, which does not auger well for effective teaching. He also observed that another habit creeping into the schools was the poor attendance or total absence of some teachers from school for long periods. He said in some instances, teachers report at school but instead of teaching rather sit under trees to chat. Rev. Nabu made these remarks when he addressed a one-day workshop organised by the Presbyterian Education Unit (PEU), for selected SMCs and PTAs in the Tamale Metropolis on Friday. The workshop, which is a pilot project, has the SMCs and PTAs of the Nyohini cluster of schools, Tamale Presby Junior High School, Tamale Presby K.G. and primary, Kanvilli schools and experimental primary and the Bamvim K.G. primary and Junior High School as participants. The workshop seeks to re-orientate the SMCs and PTAs on their roles and responsibilities and to encourage them to actively participate in the administration of schools. Rev. Nabu urged the SMCs to create the congenial atmosphere, necessary for schools, to enable teachers and pupils to have the peace of mind to carry out teaching and learning effectively. He urged them to ensure that school infrastructure was protected and well maintained. Mr Amoli Abako, Regional Manager of the PEU urged the SMCs to be agents of peace in their communities, adding that, without peace, teaching and learning cannot take place.