PREAMABLE

At its 3rd Quadrennial (50th) National Delegates Conference held at the University of Ghana Business School in Legon, Accra from 2nd to 8th January, 2010, and based on the theme: “Investing in People to Achieve Quality Education”, the Ghana National Association of Teachers(GNAT), recognizing the current national aspirations towards providing quality public education and also acknowledging.

The Government’s efforts at ensuring Education for All children through the provision of free school uniforms, free textbooks and exercise books, increasing the Capitation Grants and continuation and expansion of school feeding program.

However, realizing the low morale of teachers vis-à-vis the performance of their professional duties/obligations; which is a reflection of the unattractive conditions of service in the education sector; and

1. GNAT encourages government to maintain a steady increase in education expenditure notwithstanding the global economic downturn.
   It is the considered view of conference that quality public education, accessible to every school-going child is the only lever to lift our country out of the economic doldrums. In this regard, Conference calls on Government to expand educational infrastructure by rehabilitating existing dilapidated schools and building new ones in all parts of the country. We also demand that Government pays a lot more attention to the provision of educational institution.
2. Conference also calls on Government to adequately support the training and re-training of teachers through payment of full cost of tuition for teachers undertaking distance education programmes.
3. Recognizing the critical role the District Assemblies are expected to play in the implementation of the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778), the GNAT proposes the following amendments:
   
   • The Local Governments Act 462 must specify the minimum qualification for        the appointment of District Chief Executives to enable them competently handle the    duties imposed by Act 778.
   • A clause should be inserted in Act 778 to make the operations of the Act          devoid of partisan politics.
   1. Conference further calls on Government to demonstrate in concrete terms of its commitment to introduce ICT equipment in all public schools in the country as well as initiate capacity facilitate ICT education in all schools and colleges. Additionally, Government should significantly augment the logistical requirement of all schools and colleges.
   2. Considering the fact that industrial peace and harmony constitute the bedrock of economic development, Conference call on Government to ensure that all disputes relating to the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) are dealt with expeditiously.
   3. There should be consistency in the implementation of educational policy and strategic plan which does not depend on the manifesto of political parties in order to achieve excellence and relevance.
   4. Conference embraces the New Pension Scheme and will constitute a committee to put in ]place an Occupational Pension Scheme for teachers who are members of GNAT whilst working in tandem with the Teachers Fund to develop a third tier scheme.
   5. An enhanced pre-service and in-service courses shall be designed for teachers GES who are to take up management positions as well as newly appointed teachers and serving teachers to ensure quality education delivery.
   6. Finally, commending government for maintaining relative peace and security necessary for promoting democratic society and uninterrupted nation-building.
      

   MRS IRENE DUNCAN – ADANUSA
   GENERAL SECRETARY
   Dated: January 8, 2010