An educationist advises blind teachers to unite

Ho, March 14, GNA - Mr John Kwasi Hobenu, Volta Regional Director of Education, has advised blind teachers in the Ghana Education Service (GES), to build a strong and united association to articulate their interests.
     He noted that Government was more inclined to listen and act on the grievances of groups that could demonstrate strong unity and commitment rather than individuals.
     Mr Hobenu gave the advice when addressing the opening session of a conference of the Volta Region branch of Blind Teachers Association in Ho on Tuesday.He assured the blind teachers that their interests to undertake further education and their role had been included in the implementation of the education reforms.
 "Chapter 17 of the White Paper on the Education Reform has been devoted to issues on Special Education. This is to ensure that the Government or GES would not restrict admission of the disabled or the blind to any of its institutions," Mr Hobenu added.
 Mr Hobenu said the Disability Act 2006 also buttressed the protection of the rights of the disabled to equal educational opportunities as citizens of Ghana.
 He therefore, urged blind teachers to encourage those who are young and blind to take advantage of the opportunities for higher education and skills acquisition.Mr Hobenu assured blind teachers engaged in the teaching of life skills in basic schools that, their skills would be needed with the implementation of the education reforms."The education reforms places emphasis on "creative arts comprising art, craft, music and dance" the disciplines that would require their skills," he added.
 Mr Hobenu advised the blind teachers to take advantage of the opportunities to upgrade themselves.He called on the association to establish learning and resource centres with funds solicited from non-governmental organizations for their members to learn advanced Braille, Braille mathematics, Braille music and introduction to Information, Communication Technology (ICT).Mr Thomas Mawuli Malm, Volta Regional President of the association appealed to the Volta Regional branch to establish its own welfare scheme and not rely on the national welfare scheme.
 He urged them to establish a credit union to cater for their financial needs.Mr Malm said the branch must not be a talking shop but action oriented.He asked the members to take advantage of opportunities to upgrade themselves, improve on their living standards and take advantage of opportunities for job progression.

14 March 07