The Upper East Regional Secretary of the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), Sampson Akolgo, has welcomed the ongoing National Education Forum, acknowledging that it aligns with the NDC government’s commitment to reviewing the education system. He highlighted the anticipation among teachers and stakeholders, noting that PRETAG had proactively shared ideas with the NDC’s campaign team before the elections and has since been gathering feedback from its members to present at the forum.
“We knew that, as a listening government, they would engage stakeholders like us and consider our views and concerns to guide their reforms. We have actually prepared for this. Our national leadership met with the NDC campaign team before the elections and presented some ideas. Now that they are engaging us, we have also consulted our members and gathered substantial input to present to the experts and the committee.”
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Mr. Akolgo expressed hope that the government would take these suggestions seriously and incorporate them into any future reforms, rather than making decisions in isolation. He emphasized the importance of involving educators in policymaking, as they are directly engaged in classroom instruction and understand the practical realities of teaching and learning.
He also criticized the politicization of Ghana’s education system, arguing that inconsistent policies over the years have hindered progress. While the goal has always been to improve education, Mr. Akolgo noted that certain past initiatives have inadvertently set the system back. He urged the government to prioritize teachers’ insights in shaping educational policies.
“Every government that comes in looks at education from a different perspective. Even though the aim has always been to improve, some policies and programs have actually caused setbacks in the system. Moving forward, if they engage us, listen to our concerns, and implement our suggestions, we can avoid these challenges.”
Mr. Akolgo also called for increased investment in teaching resources, stressing that while curriculum changes may be necessary, the immediate needs of teachers must be addressed first. He pointed out that a lack of motivation and proper support for educators has been a long-standing issue, which could ultimately affect the quality of education and the future of students.
“Teachers have long been demotivated, neglected, and left unattended. While the government often argues that there aren’t enough resources to meet our needs, they must remember that Ghanaian children continue to be born and require education. If they fail to motivate and support teachers, we will fail to properly train the next generation.”
He urged the government to genuinely listen to teachers at the forum and ensure that any upcoming reforms reflect the input of those directly involved in the education system. Without proper support and motivation for teachers, Mr. Akolgo warned, the country risks producing a generation of under-educated students.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
