GES calls for calm over chalk controversy

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has called for calm in the ongoing controversy over lack of educational logistics, such as chalk and teachers’ notebooks in schools and the need for government to supply them for enhanced education.

Reverend Jonathan Bettey, acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the GES, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that there is the need for teachers, parents and stakeholders to focus on promoting good quality education rather than indulging in blame games over who should be held responsible for perceived lapses in the education delivery system.

“Greater Accra Region received 50,779 boxes of chalk, Eastern Region had 82,391, Volta Region had 86,283, Central Region took 98,913, Western Region took 79,553, Ashanti Region received 102,068 whilst Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions had 62,589; 24,696; 6,810 and 5,968 respectivel,y giving a total number of boxes distributed as 600,050,” he said.

The PRO used the occasion to inform Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors of Education, who might not have received their share to contact their regional offices for them, added that, “But I do know that all packages have reached their destinations, including those of the Eastern Region. I will be surprised to learn that a school has still not taken delivery of theirs.”

It would be recalled that Madam Juliet Oppong, Head teacher of Kukurantumi Presbyterian Primary School in the Eastern Region, was recently reported to have incurred the wrath of the Second Lady Matilda Amissah-Arthur, when she requested for chalk for the school.

Mrs Amissah-Arthur said, “The Head teacher has shocked me…when she said you lack chalk and log books…I am very shocked that you are today asking me about chalk…how much is a box of chalk…I won’t give you chalk today, I won’t give you chalk tomorrow…”, in response to the head teacher’s appeal.

Source: GNA