Editorial

TEACHERS’ HONOUR; A WORTHY FEATHER IN THE CAP

It is worthy of recognition that many teachers in Ghanaian schools, although in the face of scarcity - want and need precipitating hardship and not-too-good condition of service, are still striving to give off the best in them.

The Republic newspaper would also add voice to those giving kudos to the nation’s crop of teachers who have, against all odds, distinguished themselves in the service of nation and humanity.

We should also help give three loud cheers to Mr. Simon Jude Yifaa, the 2012 overall Ghana’s best teacher and his two runners up, Mr. Tia Yahaya and Mrs. Mariama Antwi-Adjei for onerous deed in the teaching field.

This paper would, however, add up to calls on other teachers to emulated the patriotism of the three and many others winning various awards in this year’s annual event.

We are saying this because, in many schools today, teachers have become more business-minded than the core duty they are expected to deliver.

When some of the Ghanaian schoolteachers of today have turned their classrooms into the stalls of petty trading where they sell all sorts of goods, including chocolate, books and sometimes, funeral cloth and shoes, it is refreshing to note that others have chosen to bring to bear the best in them, winning them, not only the material honours, but the heart of the nation too.

Some of the teachers would even demand that the pupils and students, especially those approaching their final year classes or examinations, as a matter of necessity attend school on Saturdays and Sundays before they could be able to teach and learn what would sail them through in flying colours. This, the paper thinks is below the teaching belt.

The teacher exudes reverence, discipline and respect among the student and pupil population, but today some teachers stoop so low to even sharing cigarette and partake in more than one social vices with the pupils they are to ‘bring up’.

The Republic would also congratulate government for sustaining the Annual teachers’ awards and giving out what has been the 19^th edition of it this year.

The package going with the awards has also been transformed positively to the enticement of the teachers – for given out 3-bedroom house is not only commendable but it is also very inviting.

However, The Republic would see it as more satisfying if government considers as priority, teachers’ salary issue, which they always cry over, leading to unnecessary strikes that create interregnum in almost every year’s educational calendar, as we view the government/teacher/education-success as give and take affair.

Once again, we say three great cheers to the nation’s illustrious teachers who put nation first.