GNAT threatens to close down schools due to attacks on teachersThe Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has warned that it will not hesitate to direct its members to close down schools if attacks and assaults on teachers continue in communities across the country.
According to GNAT, the growing incidents of violence against teachers are disrupting the smooth running of education and creating an unsafe working environment for educators.
The Association says teachers deserve protection and respect and will take firm action if their safety is not guaranteed.
President of GNAT, Reverend Isaac Owusu, made these remarks while addressing the Association’s 7th National Quadrennial Conference held in Accra on January 5.
Meanwhile, President John Mahama has condemned the alleged settlement of an assault case involving a teacher by students of the Kade Senior High School.
Last year, a video emerged on social media showing the students brutally assaulting the teacher who reportedly denied the students an opportunity to cheat during their WASSCE exams.
It is emerging however that parents of the students have had an amicable settlement of the case after it was reported at the police station.
Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial Delegates Congress of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) on January 5, President Mahama expressed his disappointment at the turn of events.
“Indeed, I saw that video of, I think it was a math teacher being beaten because when he was invigilating, he refused to allow our children to cheat. And they had a sense of entitlement, and so why did you not allow us to cheat? And the unfortunate thing is that the matter went to the police station, and the parents of the students went to the police and they said they settled the matter amicably,” President Mahama bemoaned.
“I mean, how is that? This is assault, it’s criminal, you know. But when we inquired, the police also said, I think the teacher was compensated so he didn’t want to press charges anymore,” he wondered.
President Mahama noted that the erring students should have received some form of punishment.
“But I said, at least the children should have been booked, they should have been taken through the legal process, and at least, if nothing at all, they should have been bonded to be of good behavior for a period of time, and then we’ll believe that justice has been done.
But just for parents to come and, you know, pay a little compensation, it will encourage others to do the same. And so, as for assaults on teachers, I am with you 100%. We will deal with it,” he assured.