Former president John Dramani Mahama and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as part of preparation for finalising the party’s manifesto ahead on the 2024 general elections on Friday, 19th April, 2023 met the representatives of the Teacher Unions at the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) head office in Accra.
The dialogue was aimed at identifying problems facing the education sector and measures needed to tackle the challenges to promote effective education in the country.
Mr. Mahama in a Facebook post said they had a healthy policy dialogue that would yield good results should the NDC come to power.
Among other things the former president indicated that he will conduct an educational reform in his first 100 days in office and the integral role of teachers in national policy reforms.
Adding that his administration will focus on adopting ‘first language’ as a medium of instruction from KG to Basic 3 and training more teachers in major local languages to facilitate teaching and learning at the basic levels.
“To encourage reading at the basic level, we plan to build more libraries and resume providing reading and textbooks for all basic schools. Timely disbursement of the capitation grant to education directorates and schools will be a priority, as well as removing the capping and collateralisation of the GETFUND and resuming the free sanitary pad distribution policy.” He stated.
“I will prioritise the revival of abandoned TVET and E-blocks in our education infrastructure drive to decongest schools and improve the quality of education.We also plan to review and improve the implementation of the Free SHS policy, resolve its associated challenges, and mainstream TVET and STEM in all secondary schools.” Mahama stressed.
READ HIS FACEBOOK POST BELOW
I had the pleasure of meeting with representatives of our Teacher Unions at the NAGRAT head office in Accra. We had a healthy policy dialogue in preparation for finalising our (NDC) manifesto. Here are some key points I shared during the meeting:
1. I emphasised the importance of conducting an educational reform in my first 100 days in office and the integral role of teachers in national policy reforms.
2. My administration will focus on adopting ‘first language’ as a medium of instruction from KG to Basic 3 and training more teachers in major local languages to facilitate teaching and learning at the basic levels.
3. To encourage reading at the basic level, we plan to build more libraries and resume providing reading and textbooks for all basic schools.
4. Timely disbursement of the capitation grant to education directorates and schools will be a priority, as well as removing the capping and collateralisation of the GETFUND and resuming the free sanitary pad distribution policy.
5. I will prioritise the revival of abandoned TVET and E-blocks in our education infrastructure drive to decongest schools and improve the quality of education.
6. We also plan to review and improve the implementation of the Free SHS policy, resolve its associated challenges, and mainstream TVET and STEM in all secondary schools.
These are just a few highlights from the productive dialogue we had. I look forward to further collaboration with teacher unions and other stakeholders to develop effective policies for the education sector.
Together, we can build a better and more inclusive education system for our children and the future of our nation. Thank you to all the teacher unions who participated and shared their valuable insights.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
