Dr Tutu Boahen, Vice-President of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has identified weak and divided teacher unions as one of the major challenges affecting the welfare of teachers in Ghana.
He said the lack of unity among teachers had weakened their ability to demand better salaries, improved working conditions and greater respect for the profession.
Dr Boahen made the observation at the maiden edition of the Atinka Teachers Forum organised by the Tobinco Media Group (TMG) at the Sika Hall in Accra.
According to him, a strong and united teaching fraternity could push for better living standards for teachers and influence policies beyond Ghana.
He questioned the continued divisions among teacher groups and urged teachers to work together to protect their common interests.
Dr Boahen also called for an end to the politicisation of teachers’ welfare issues, stressing that teachers remained professionals regardless of their political beliefs.
“Teachers do not wear political shirts to the classroom,” he said.
He noted that teachers were the major pillar of the education system and that the success of every sector depended on the quality of education provided.
Dr Boahen, who said he had spent his entire working life as a teacher, recalled how people discouraged him from entering the profession because they believed teaching would make him poor.
He said teachers faced several difficulties, including inadequate financial compensation, declining social respect and attacks from some parents when teachers disciplined their children.
He, however, urged teachers to remain motivated while calling on government, communities and teacher unions to do more to improve the profession.
He said better welfare for teachers was necessary to attract and retain dedicated professionals in the education sector.
Ghana|Atinkaonoine.com|Ebenezer Madugu
