The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has called on political parties to go beyond empty promises and prioritize teachers’ welfare in their education policies.
NAGRAT argues that previous governments have focused on student benefits at the expense of teachers, leading to diminished morale and poor working conditions.
NAGRAT highlights ongoing issues such as inadequate housing for rural teachers, delays in allowance payments, and a shortage of teaching and learning resources.
Atindana Baba Joseph, Ashanti Regional Secretary of NAGRAT, voiced frustration over political parties’ persistent focus on student benefits while neglecting the teachers who implement these policies.
NAGRAT is calling on political parties to prioritize teachers in educational reforms by providing better welfare packages, housing solutions, and improved facilities.
They also advocate for enhancing, rather than abolishing, the Free SHS policy.
Atindana Baba Joseph, Ashanti Regional Secretary of NAGRAT, expressed frustration over political parties focusing solely on student benefits, saying, “We are upset that policies are consistently aimed at benefiting students, without addressing the needs of those responsible for implementing these policies.”
“For example, we were given TM1, laptops, that the memory gig is just 2.5, whereas those for the students, the memory gig is higher.”
“We have heard both parties and what they said, but what we are saying is that, make the teacher the pivotal element in promoting and enhancing education.
“Our land and housing policy, we want to see it up. Any other facility that will enhance the teacher, we want the curricula, we want it to be fastened. The Free SHS, we want it at least to be improved”.
“We are not interested in their new definition of improved means cancellation; we are not interested in that. We are born to teach, whoever comes to power, we will teach. However, if you come and enhance our welfare, the package, that makes us more interested in the teaching and every teacher motivated will teach you to the best of his ability and the vice versa is true”.
At NAGRAT’s 25th Anniversary launch in Kumasi, Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, Registrar of the National Teaching Council, defended the introduction of the Teacher Licensure Examination.
He urged politicians to consult education experts to gain a deeper understanding of such policies.