Members of the Ghana
National Association of Teachers (GNAT) have raised concerns about the
disruption the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict was having on education in the area.
The Jasikan District GNAT Chapter, which
registered their displeasure about the grave effect the conflict was having on
teaching and learning in the area, expressed worry about the safety and
security of their members and pupils in the flash points.
The Teachers however resolved
to promote peace among the warring faction and ensure the smooth running of
education without any interruption.
These sentiments were contained
in a nine-point resolution of the Association at the end of their 5th
Quadrennial Conference held at Bueman Senior High School at Jasikan.
Mr. Johnson Tsyawo,
Jasikan District Chairman of the Association has strongly advocated for peace
between the warring faction and in the Nkonya-Alavanyo, and appealed for urgent
support to enable teachers organise sensitisation activities for the people in
the area.
Effect
of Conflict
According to experts, the
conflict has claimed thousands of lives, including parents’ children in schools
and some pupils, and brought untold hardship on families in the affected area.
The conflict has
heightened the sense of insecurity among teachers and pupils in the area and
hampered the teaching and learning activities. The situation according some
teachers in the area was intimidating, as classes could be called off anytime
the factions start it fighting.
A Teacher at the Nkonya-
Kadjebi D/A Primary school told this reporter that both teachers and pupils in
the area were now leaving in fear as they do not know when opponents would
attack.
Due to this, classes had
been called off for some days now, which has affected teaching and learning
ever since school reopened this academic term.
Peace
Initiative
Mr. Tsyawo, noted that since
the conflict was having adverse effect on education in the Biakoye District and
in the Hohoe Municipality, GNAT members in the two catchment areas would collaborate
to complement efforts of expert, by engaging the factions in the conflict, to
resolve it.
He outlined the move to
organize football games and some activities in the flash points of the conflict,
to raise the needed awareness of the impact it was having education.
He also suggested that if
the situation was seen after their peace initiative, the teachers might
consider boycotting classes for some days.
Teachers
welfare
The Jasikan GNAT District with over 1,430 members, comprising
the Jasikan and Biakoye Districts, also appealed to GNAT to ensure that Ghana
Education Service fulfills the Welfare Benefits for Teachers who die in active
service.
The Teachers also requested the extension of the
maternity leave period from 3 to 6 months in line with the six-month exclusive
breastfeeding policy.
They also called on the education Directorate to stop
purchasing test items and allow teachers to set their end of term exams.
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