After serious backlash over delays in releasing the academic calendar, the G.E.S released a new academic calendar for Pre-Tertiary Schools across the country. It may be recalled that the Minister of Education set-up a Committee to review the academic calendar for 2021/2022 academic year. Find below details of the new calendar:
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced a new affordable-housing policy for teachers, adding that an opportunity will also be provided for them to own houses in desired locations in various parts of the country.
He said the affordable housing initiative will involve the provision of houses for both mortgage and rental.
To be made up of 10,000 units, the project will be completed by 2024.
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Tuesday, January 4 while addressing the 6th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Kumasi.
“I am fully aware that the one challenge facing teacher ownership of homes beyond finance is their inability to purchase home where they intend to retire,” the President said.
“Through a subsidised loan programme, teachers will be provided an opportunity to own houses in desired locations in various parts of the country.”
He said the Ministry of Works and Housing is in discussions with teacher unions including GNAT on this while the Ministry of Education is liaising with the National Service Scheme on it.
“Within the next two years, it is proposed that 10,000 housing units on affordable terms will be developed for teachers across the country.”
He also pledged to address the issue about concerns raised by teachers over the ‘One Teacher, One Laptop’ initiative.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana
President Akufo-Addo has assured teachers his government is working to provide accommodation for them within the next two years.
“The Works and Housing unit is in discussion with teacher unions, including your own, to provide more housing opportunities for teachers.
“Within the next two years, it is proposed that 10,000 housing units on affordable terms will be developed for teachers across the country,” the President said at the 6th Quadrennial and 53rd National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Kumasi Tuesday.
He also assured teachers he will address their concerns over the ‘one teacher one laptop policy’.
“I am glad to hear how much you welcomed the supply of the laptops. I promise you that the other related matters of concern will be addressed. The relationship between GNAT and my government is a matter of concern to me, and I will do my very best to promote such a relationship.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has debunked allegations that the laptops acquired for teachers across the country are inferior.
Speaking to Naa Dedei on Starr Today, Monday 15th November 2021, the Ministry said they know what is best for the Ghanaian teacher adding “we know the value and the contribution of our teachers towards quality education and the things we need to supply to be able to put out the best in shaping the thought and destiny of this country.”
The Ministry also explained that every step of the way through the acquisition due diligence was done to procure the laptops for the teachers.
“Every process which needed to be followed throughout the procurement before the certification for it to be used in this country was duly followed. As we speak the machine is in use and nobody is complaining of its quality and how efficient the machine is. It is as good as any machine that can be found on the market.
“So these are things that are cropping up and as I indicated to you on the exact date, we will have our day in court and all other facts will be made available to the court and the good people of Ghana will get to hear it,” Yaw Opoku Mensah, the Deputy PRO reiterated in an interview with Starr FM.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
The National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the One Teacher One Laptop initiative. Speaking at the 6th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Kumasi on Tuesday, January 4, the National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mrs Philippa Larsen, said “Your excellency, I wish to commend you and your government for supplying customized laptops to teachers.
The 16th Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged teachers to end embarking on industrial action in a bid for the central government to address their concerns as the strike affects pupils directly and not the politicians at large.
He in his address at the 6th quadrennial national delegates conference of Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) held in Greater Kumasi said students most at times face the consequences of the strike actions by teachers.
His Royal Majesty expressing worry about the unfortunate incident that has been going on for decades called on the central government to put in place measures to meet the demand of teachers to avoid industrial actions.
“Those who really suffer are the innocent children. I urge you all to have an improved way for negotiations that will minimize, if not eliminate, any recourse to industrial action and the harmful consequences on our children.
“While we will always urge moderation in the face of the national economic realities, we will urge policymakers to ensure that the status of our teachers truly reflect the level of importance we attach to their place in society,” he added.
In a related development, the Minister for Education and Bosomtwe Member of Parliament Dr Yaw Adutwum has said the Ministry of Finance is working to release funds for payment of Colleges of Education teachers unpaid allowance
His comment comes after the teachers in a statement copied to EducationWeb.com.gh announced its intention to withdraw its services across all the 46 public Colleges of Education effective 6th January 2022, over unpaid arrears.
The College teachers said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government on September 24, 2021, over the allowance but unfortunately, the stipends for October and November 2021 are yet to be paid.
“CETAG members are anxiously and patiently waiting for full payments of the agreed allowances (January 2021 to December 2021) at the end of December 2021 without which the Association shall activate its intended strike action
We, therefore, serve notice that CETAG members across all the 46 CoE have resolved to embark on an indefinite strike effective January 6, 2022, if the said payments are not made in full at the end of December 2021,” it said on Monday.
But, the Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum speaking on Accra-based Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show monitored by EducationWeb said the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is currently processing the payment of the unpaid allowance.
“The allowance will be paid in due course, we have signed and submitted a letter to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to process the payment, so we will urge the leadership of CETAG to exercise patience,” Mr Osei Adutwum said.
