Credit. Kekeli K. Blamey
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has announced its readiness to participate in the upcoming National Education Forum, where it will highlight the funding shortfalls plaguing the country’s educational system.
This development comes after President John Dramani Mahama established an eight-member committee to oversee the organization of the National Education reform, aimed at publicly discussing ways to improve the educational sector.
According to Thomas Tanko Musah, General Secretary of GNAT, the association will focus on pressing issues such as debts owed to the West African Examination Council (WAEC), financing challenges for the School Feeding program, and the capitation grant arrears. Musah expressed concerns about student indiscipline in some Senior High Schools, emphasizing the need for reforms in the disciplinary system.
Musah stressed that funding is the primary problem facing the educational system, citing examples such as the capitation grant arrears exceeding two years, debts of over GH¢100 million owed to WAEC, and the struggle to feed students with a daily allowance of GH¢1.30.
The GNAT General Secretary also highlighted the importance of character and conscience in education, warning that neglecting these aspects could have dire consequences. He advocated for revisiting the issue of headmaster autonomy, emphasizing the potential risks of not addressing this concern in the coming years.
