For some time now, Ghana has been battling with economic
crises. It is non-negotiable that the development of a nation depends on its economic
status. Notwithstanding that, there are certain institutions of a nation that
must not be tempered with despite any shortcomings of the nation. You can name
them, education, legal, economy itself and others of similar benevolence.
Alas, this economic backwardness in the country (Ghana) has
been attributed to numerous factors including corruption. Think of the Ghana
Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) incidence, the
“akonfem” saga to mention but a few.
Just recently a publication
on www.ghanaweb.com indicated that pupil teachers have been asked to continue on
leave by the Ghana Education Service, isn’t it pathetic? The reason given was
that, more professional teachers are been trained and that the educational
service is full and cannot accommodate unprofessional teachers any more, and to
crown it all, the report said this decision will help reduce government
expenditure by cutting off pupil teachers’ pay.
Bravo however, to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for
clearing the air concerning the elimination of pupil teachers from the teaching
field, if my ears served me right. Some few days ago I picked from the media
that the GES has indicated that not all pupil teachers will be withdrawn, but
rather those who have completed their one year service.
This action taken by the “government” would have indeed caused
more harm than good if not reviewed. It is obvious that most youth rebuff
postings to the rural areas to work. They repudiate these communities and
rather prefer staying in towns to enjoy facilities that may be deficient in the
rural communities.
As a young man who grew up in a rural community, I argue with
no pessimism that it has been the effort of these pupil teachers that I am
where I am now. The reality on the ground is that without the help of pupil
teachers some schools especially, in rural communities, would be left without
teachers. Hence the rights of a child to quality education would have been
denied.
Interacting with a friend about the axing of pupil teachers,
he indicated that this action cannot help solve the problem unless all loop
holes in our educational system be filled. He said the government must make sure
all ghost names in the educational sector are removed. Isn’t it interesting
however that those who put the ghost names on the government pay slip are the
very people asked to remove them? That is the bizarre option we sought to. We need
to take a different twist in tackling social ills.
