The wahala of pupil teachers in Ghana

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 Some few days ago I picked from the media that the GES has indicated that not all pupil teachers will be withdrawn, but rather those who have completed their one year service.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.