Stop The Unnecessary Tension Within The Teaching Fraternity - Dr Adutwum Cautioned

Professor George Kwaku Toku Oduro, a former pro-vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has commented on Dr Eric Nkansah's nomination as acting director general of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

Three teacher unions have announced a strike in response to the nomination of Dr Eric Nkansah, arguing that it is against the law for him to be appointed.

Professor Oduro warned the Minister of Education not to cause unneeded friction among the teaching community in a statement he released regarding the current impasse among teachers at the pre-tertiary education level.

Professor Oduro wrote "As a professionally trained teacher and professor of educational leadership, I find it strange that the Minister of Education will slight professional competency in the appointment of a Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).

"This is an affront to teacher professionalism and must not be encouraged. GES, unlike the Ministry which cannot be faulted for engaging non-experts, is a professional service agency of the Ministry of Education.

"It is tasked with the responsibility of providing professional technical advice to the Minister of Education and professional policy implementation guidance to Directors of education.

"Hence, evidence of fundamental professional training with exposure to philosophical foundations in education, sociological foundations in education, pedagogical principles and practices etc is critical in the consideration for appointing a DG.

"I appreciate that the Minister needs to work with a DG he relates well with politically and personally but is it the case that he does not have relations with any of the numerous professionally qualified party faithful and experienced Directors of Education and professional academics in our Universities?

"My Hon. Minister, Adutwum, should do the needful to avoid creating unnecessary tension within the teaching fraternity,” he stated.