On October 5, Teachers’ Day was observed in Ghana, prompting discussions about the treatment of educators in the country. Lare Kitonname, the Regional Secretary for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), pointed out that teachers often rank among the least recognized professionals, raising questions about societal values regarding education. He emphasized that the lack of appreciation for teachers’ contributions stems from a broader negligence in understanding their crucial role in shaping future generations.
“As for whether we are well treated, it depends on where you stand. From my point of view, we are not well treated. We are not given what is due to us as educators. It’s gross negligence, or possibly we just don’t understand the work teachers do. Because we don’t understand their work, we don’t appreciate it.”
The GNAT official noted that while a strike by health workers would prompt immediate public concern, the impact of teachers withdrawing their services would not be felt for years, leading to a lack of urgency in addressing their needs. “If teachers were to withdraw their services for a year, there would not be any immediate impact. Since there is no immediate impact, people don’t see our value. But if the health service were to withdraw their services for a week, people would die immediately, and everyone would demand that their needs be met so they can resume work.”
This disconnect, he argues, reflects a societal tendency to prioritize monetary value over the essential services that educators provide. “We have reached a point where we do not value services; we value money. We have become a generation that thinks only about money.”
Teachers in Ghana continue to face challenges, particularly regarding the availability of teaching and learning materials. Mr. Kitonname criticized recent curricular changes that have occurred without the provision of necessary textbooks, forcing educators to resort to makeshift solutions to deliver lessons effectively. He emphasized the need for timely resource allocation to support these changes.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of prioritizing basic education, arguing that addressing foundational educational issues would ultimately enhance the entire system. “I believe basic education is what we should be advocating for so that when we identify and get it right there, everything above it becomes something we can approach as a luxury.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
