MOE to embark on decentralisation exercise

Accra, May 10, GNA - The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports intends to embark on a decentralisation exercise in the educational sector, to ensure quality educational standards in the country. The exercise, which would result in transfers and dismissals of some educational workers, where necessary, would ensure equitable distribution of those workers at the district level.

The document backing the exercise was currently under review by the Ministry and would be operational when approved. Reverend Cynthia Koomson, Acting National President of the Greater Accra Women's Wing of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) announced this at the union's Fourth Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Accra.

She urged all educational workers, especially the non-teaching staff to take advantage of the study with pay incentive and upgrade their skills in order not to fall victims when the exercise begun. According to her, there was the need for workers in the educational sector to also respond to global trends, saying that complacency in academia was a threat to meeting current educational reforms. Rev. Koomson also hinted that negotiations on salary enhancement for its members reached a deadlock on Wednesday, after three years of expiration, adding that the Union would pursue the matter in accordance with provisions of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651). She was optimistic that the salary adjustment would improve conditions of services for educational workers, to further motivate them to work hard.

The Regional Secretary of the Ghana Trade Union Congress, Mr Harry Peterson, also encouraged women to empower themselves and get fully involved in all activities of the TUC, instead of thinking of being marginalised.

He said although the passage of the Domestic Violence Bill was commendable, women should examine its contents well and apply provisions that would create peaceful co-existence in homes.

The Regional Conference would afford the delegates the opportunity to deliberate on issues pertaining to their welfare, take stock of their regional activities and make the amendments of their constitution.