Charles Atakibire, Chairman of the Bolgatanga Municipal branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has expressed support for the ongoing National Education Forum, emphasizing the need for comprehensive discussions on the challenges and future of the sector. He noted that such forums are not new to the teaching community, and teachers welcome the opportunity to engage in conversations about education.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Atakibire highlighted GNAT’s long-standing involvement in educational policy discussions. He explained that since 2020, the association has actively presented its views through Educational Standpoints and a five-year strategic plan. These documents, he said, were shared with political leaders in both 2020 and 2024, providing clear recommendations on the direction education should take in the country.
“We have held a series of engagements since 2020. We published what we call the Educational Standpoints and developed a five-year strategic plan. These two documents were presented to politicians in 2020, and again in 2024, we met with them and shared our views on the way forward for education.”
Mr. Atakibire stressed that the ongoing education forum must adopt a holistic approach, addressing all aspects of the sector rather than focusing on isolated issues. He emphasized that every level of education is interconnected and must be examined comprehensively.
“If the government is holding an education forum, we expect it to be holistic, not just focused on one aspect.”
He also raised concerns about the need for quality and affordable education that ensures all citizens can enroll their children. Mr. Atakibire emphasized that education must not only be accessible but also of high quality, equipping students with the skills needed for the workforce. He called for greater attention to essential factors such as feeding programs, student accommodation, and well-equipped learning environments to support academic success.
“We need to look at their feeding, their accommodation, and their learning environments.”
Furthermore, he underscored GNAT’s goal of seeing graduates who are not just certificate holders but individuals equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in the workforce.
“We want to produce graduates who will not only have certificates but will also be able to fit into the workforce successfully.”
Additionally, Mr. Atakibire emphasized that teacher welfare remains a critical concern for GNAT. He expressed hope that the forum would address these issues, as they are vital to the continued progress of the education system.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
