A former chairman of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and an educationist, Professor J. S. Djangmah, has endorsed calls by some teachers for the institution of Teachers� Day as a public holiday.
According to him, it is a way of recognising the invaluable contributions of teachers in the socio-economic development of the country.
At the 17th National Best Teacher Awards ceremony, some teachers appealed to government to consider the day as a statutory holiday.
Speaking to Citi News, Prof. Djangmah described the call as one in the right direction indicating that �education in the country has to be advanced and we advance it by promoting teacher education.
"So anything that would make Ghanaians realise that without very good teachers we do not have much hope for development should be made clear to the public. �
�That is how we should look at it that the teachers are important, we have to promote the teaching profession in all aspects. So if we set a special day for celebrating teachers that is good for the country,� he added.
Prof. Djangmah said: �The only problem that we have to think about is the number of holidays that we have. We really have many holidays, it worries some Ghanaians. �
Meanwhile, the ministry of education has described the call as one worth considering.
Public Relations Officer at the minister, Paul Krapah said, �I think it is a very good suggestion, teachers are all over the country and if it is declared a national day, a lot of people would actually see how much teachers have been contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. �
�It would offer an opportunity to teachers to watch the program on TV, and also use the day as a day of reflection. There is the need for teachers to be actively involved in such programs.
"What it means is that on that day teachers would not go to school, the pupils would also not go and the teachers would use the day as a day of reflection. If it declared a holiday I think it would be very good,� Krapah said.
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