The Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon, has urged newly trained teachers to display professional behaviour as they go out to hand down knowledge.
He said the impartation of knowledge was a skilful effort which called for selflessness from new teachers.
Speaking at the eighth graduation of the Akrokerri College of Education, Mr Ackon emphasised that achieving quality education was a collective effort, saying it could not be done by government alone.
“It is important to know that to achieve quality education requires the collective effort of all stakeholders in which you play a major part. As you move out of your current environment, you are to play your roles effectively not only to impart knowledge but also to instill discipline and a high sense of responsibility in your students. I expect you to always take the interest of your students at heart and treat them as your own children who are going to take our places in life in the near future. I would like to entreat you to apply all the knowledge acquired in this institution to build your life for the good of Ghana,” he stated.
“More importantly, you are equipped to deliver academic results but the moulding of a character of a whole person goes beyond academic pursuit and involves character, respect for each other, relationship, and indeed assimilation of things you cannot change immediately.”
Mr Ackon advised the newly trained teachers to endeavour to be disciplined in their new environment and not forget Ghanaian and African values even as they pursue higher education. “Most of you, I am sure, will pursue further studies and, therefore, your current qualification may also be transitional. You are implored to live and stay upright. Impart what you know and learn what you do not know whether on your own or through internet and by part-time courses,” he stated.
“The world cannot contain you if you do not keep learning, being abreast of current issues and staying in touch with global trends. In all these, do not lose your African and Ghanaian values by the unconscious assimilation of foreign cultures. So, in spite of globalisation and its infectious character, still maintain the clear Ghanaian and African identity”.
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