The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has promised that if he is re-elected, he will institute a 20% allowance for rural teachers. The goal of this suggested basic allowance is to address the teacher shortage in rural communities by luring educators to these locations.
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Speaking at a town hall meeting in the Western Region, Mahama gave the people his resolute promise to overcome obstacles in the way of the allowance's successful implementation. He emphasized that in order to evaluate eligibility for the stipend, it is crucial to classify both rural and urban areas, acknowledging the concerns expressed by educators in the Ahanta West District.
Acknowledging the complexity of this task, Mahama stated, "In Takoradi here, there are some villages within the city. Where will you categorize that? All of these would have to be considered. We will sit with you to address this." The former President acknowledged that accurately categorizing rural communities deserving of the allowance presents a primary hurdle in implementing the policy.
Meanwhile, private school owners expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as unfair advantages given to public school examinations. In response, Mahama expressed his willingness to investigate and propose suitable solutions to address the challenges faced by rural areas.
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He also highlighted the NDC government's commitment to conducting a thorough review of the free senior high school policy by engaging stakeholders such as parents, teachers, educationists, and students. Mahama emphasized the need for a stakeholder consultation to examine the challenges with the policy, particularly addressing issues arising from infrastructure deficits and the current shift system. He questioned the effectiveness of the policy, especially for students who experience prolonged breaks and the subsequent challenges in retaining what they were taught.
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