The Ministry of Education has granted a special dispensation for the training of 80 teachers, in the six Teacher Training Colleges in Education, in the Eastern Region, to help solve the crippling shortage of teachers in the Kwahu North District.   

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, at Tease at the weekend, said the deal, worth millions of cedis, is being borne by the assembly with the support of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, which is spearheading the project.

He said as a result of the appalling teacher situation, the Regional Coordinating Council asked the Ministry of Education to grant a special request for the training and bonding of people from the district who would be required to serve in the district for not less than five years.           

Mr Ofosu Ampofo said the Koforidua -based Seventh-Day Adventist College of Education, the Presbyterian College at Akropong Akuapem, the Kyebi Presbyterian College, the Abetifi Teacher Training College, the Presbyterian Women’s College at Aburi and the Mount Mary’s Training College at Somanya agreed to support the programme.

They subsequently visited Donkorkrom where a special enrolment exercise was organized with 80 of the over 300 applicants selected to start training in September.          

The 80 teachers would complement the regular teachers to be posted.

On a positive note however, the Minister said, over 100 newly trained teachers have formally accepted postings to the district, which is considered one of the most deprived in the country.     

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo described the development as unprecedented because it was the highest ever in a single academic year.

He said the development could be attributed to the advocacy being spearheaded by the principals who were touched by the plight of the people after their about one week stay in the area.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo expressed gratitude to them for their efforts and urged them to continue to support policies that would uplift the lives of people in the rural areas.

Mr Charles Apraku, the District Chief Executive, said the assembly had so far spent over GH¢ 5000 in procuring application forms and paying the admission fees of the selected students.

GNA/AMA