The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has described as unfortunate decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to sack two school heads over extortion.
Government has dismissed head teachers of two secondary schools in the country over extortion in the ongoing admissions under the free SHS policy.
The sacked headmasters are Wisdom Blazu of the Pentecost SHS in the Eastern region and Assistant headmaster of Daffour Senior High School Rev S.P Eleworkor.
They were relieved from their post in a statement issued by the Ghana Education Service Thursday.
The statement further said a total of seven other school administrators have been interdicted.
All 11 were slapped with sanctions by the GES Council after they were found to have charged unapproved fees in the wake of the implementation of the free SHS by the government.
But reacting to the development, the General Secretary of GNAT, David Ofori Acheampong said the action by GES council was harsh.
According to him, the affected head teachers could have been given a softer punishment instead of just dismissing them which he believes could dent the image of the service.
“I think GES really rushed in taking such harsh decision. In cases like this, the best they could have done is hand them a softer punishment and if in the process, they are found guilty, then harder punishment can follow else you can’t sack them just because of a mere allegation” he said.
Mr. Ofori Acheampong further called on government to immediately take a second look at the decision and allow the head teachers to go back to work.
Background
A total of about 400,000 graduates from various Junior High Schools from across the country have been earmarked to benefit from the flagship programme which was a major campaign message of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)
It is estimated to cost government about $100 million out of which 25% has already been paid into the account of the implementing schools with a promise by the education ministry to address the challenges associated with it.
Source: adomonline
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Check the names of the dismissed headmasters. Enemies of progress! Elsewhere, they would never get the opportunity to work in any public service again for charging unapproved fees! The system is too choked with some of these corrupt guys...GOOD RIDDANCE.
I believe GNAT must not subscribe to corruption and abetment of crime. Free Education is a right of every Ghanaian child therefore how come some School heads are collecting illegal fees from the children? They want the whole programm to fail but they have been sacked for their naivety and shallow mindedness. We don't want people who are detractors but we want people who can help build the country.
Please there are issues that government is not talking about. Students have been posted far away from home as day students. How do we address these problems? They need to stay in hostels. If a headmaster directs them to hostels they are accused of collecting money and sabotaging the system. Is this what you call justice or moving forward?
The most annoying part of it is one of them calling himself a Rev.Father is a disgrace to GNAT to come out and say this it means that every year your members are doing this SHAME!!! ¡
GNAT behaviour and comments towards the sacking of these headmaster are not well thought out and dangerous. We go into education to empower people to be useful to the society and these headmasters are in education to make money. They have no place in the education sector. When they got sacked, these greedy union official jump to defend them. What about the victims whom these headmasters extorted money from? They should rather be supported and not these unpatriotic headmasters. Extortion is a sackable offence and they deserve it. Bye and they should never allow to come near Free SHS. Well done GES and you make my day
I listened to the GNAT spokesperson on the issue of the dismissed Head Masters and it was at best nauseating. Ghana has descended so low in our national conscience and morality that we easily jump to support, plead on behalf or at worst threaten authority for doing what they have been mandated to do, ie govern the nation to the benefit of all Ghanaians. The other day, it was Freight Forwarders who threatened that if the Paperless system was not suspended then hell will break loose. Other times it was protest against the eviction of squatters who have taken over every inch of space in our towns and cities. Then there was the protests and demonstrations plus threats of Galamseyers, not to talk of the linching of a military officer. Today, it is threats for the dismissal of Head Masters who have flouted the explicit instructions of their employer, GES. What society at all do we want to build for ourselves and the next generation?
Is this man speaking for GNAT ?, please we are all joining hands to build Ghana ,and discipline is key, whole general secretary is talking about this. Is it by force to defend every issue concerning teachers. Do you think the education service just woke up and took this decision ? Let build with rules of law
This is the reason why we are not moving as a nation. Whenever people are punished for their actions or inaction's, you see other people coming to their defense. why should someone be giving a softer punishment when the person is found to be doing wrong thing? This country will be a better country if we make people responsible of their actions and inaction's. When people see that they will be punish for their wrong doing no matter their status and positions in society, they will start doing the right thing....
Mr. GNAT General Secretary your attitude tolerates insubordination and indiscipline and explains why there is so much indiscipline in the country if teacher unions have such posturing. The good people of this country will not tolerate saboteurs of free SHS and all your utterances suggest you're one. Kindly keep your unprogressive views to yourself and advise your ilk to stay clear because such actions will not be allowed to derail the transformation of this country.
It is interesting. It about time employees realised that their applications for employment are not signed by unions and as such must stop hiding behind unions when they are found to have done wrong. The union leaders must drum into their membership. We having these unions covering and jumping to erring staff which is not acceptable. At best they can plead for them but it is only a plea.