Pre-tertiary Teacher unions in the country yesterday launched a document containing their demands for incorporation in the manifestoes of political parties. The unions are the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-Ghana).
The 13-page document, titled: “Demands to the Political Parties on Education Delivery in Ghana for their Consideration into their Election 2024 Manifestoes”, was jointly signed by the General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, the President of NAGRAT, Eric Carbonu and the President of CCT-GH, King Awudu Ali.
The demands of the teachers were classified into five thematic areas for the consideration of the political parties that would contest this year’s general election. The thematic areas are; Teacher Unions’ View of Quality Education, School Environment, Free SHS/TVET Policy, Teacher Factor and Teacher Deployment.
The unions said they regard education as the bedrock of societal and national development since it is the vehicle through which societies and nations provide their people with knowledge, job skills and cultural values for economic growth and prosperity.
It said the general thinking among Ghanaians was that the type of education relevant and required for the country had so far continued to be elusive; hence parents, civil society and politicians among others, continue to raise concerns over the quality of education delivery in Ghana.
Education serves as the cornerstone of societal and national development, providing individuals with the knowledge, skills and values necessary for economic growth and prosperity. It is, therefore, imperative that we prioritise education and address the challenges facing our education system.
The demands outlined by the teacher unions reflect the collective concerns of educators who are at the forefront of shaping the future of our nation through the education of our youth.
One of the key issues highlighted in the document is the quality of education delivery in contemporary Ghana. Despite efforts to improve access to education through initiatives like the Free SHS/TVET policy, concerns persist regarding the relevance and effectiveness of our educational system.
It is evident that there is a need for comprehensive reforms to ensure that our education system meets the needs of our students and prepares them for success in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Education should not be viewed as a mere campaign promise but as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of national development. We call on political leaders to prioritize education in their policy agendas and commit to implementing tangible reforms that will improve the quality of education for all Ghanaian students.
Furthermore, we commend the teacher unions for their efforts to have the political parties incorporate them into their manifestos to ensure that every child in Ghana has access to quality education.
We cannot afford to neglect the education of our youth or ignore the pressing issues facing our education system. Let the political parties heed to the call of the teacher unions and take decisive action to transform our education system for the better.
