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Reliable information indicates that residents of Begoro, the capital of Fanteakwa district of the Eastern Region, are planning to hit the streets in protest against the exploitation of children by teachers in the area.  

According to the report, some teachers in the district, particularly Begoro, under the guise of extra classes, collect various sums of money from pupils to teach them topics they should have taught the children during the normal class hours. 

The teachers also take the children to farms and used them to do all sort of work during and after class hours for their personal gains.

This development has marred the cordial relationship between the teachers and residents of the area, with the latter calling on the District Director of Education, Mr. Kwadwo Osei Owusu and District Chief Executive (DCE) Hon. Abass Fuseini Sbaab to prevail on the teachers to stop the practice. 

According to one resident, Nana Kofi Aboagyei, they would have no other option than to embark on a demonstration against the teachers, to register their displeasure over their conduct.

Speaking  in an interview, M.r Aboagyei expressed grave concern over the fallen standard of education in the district in recent times, which he attributed to unprofessional conduct of the teachers. 

An official of the District Education office confirmed the story when contacted by this reporter.  He called on the residents to exercise restraints since his office received the information just about two weeks ago and doing everything under their control to investigate into the matter.

The source further called on teachers who are engaged in the act to desist from such unprofessional conduct, since the office would not shield anybody who would be caught. 

In order to improve standards of education in the district, the source disclosed that the district directorate has intensified supervision to ensure that teachers fully utilized instructional hours as provided for on the time table. 

Circuit Supervisors and head teachers have also been tasked to ensure that teachers set adequate number of exercises and mark them on time.

The DCE of the area has also confirmed the allegation when contacted.  According to him, his outfit would set up a committee to investigate the situation and bring anybody found culpable to book, to serve as a deterrent to other teachers in the area.

CHRONICLE/AMA