In a recent town hall meeting held in the Western Region, John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), unveiled a promising initiative aimed at addressing the challenges faced by underserved rural communities.
Mahama, vying for the presidency in the upcoming 2024 general election, declared his commitment to introducing a 20% allowance for teachers in his next term of office.
The former President highlighted the pressing need for such an allowance, emphasizing its potential to attract educators to rural areas grappling with a shortage of teaching staff.
During his address, Mahama acknowledged the complexities involved in categorizing areas as rural or urban and assured the crowd that the intricacies would be carefully considered.
“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,” Mahama assured the audience, demonstrating a proactive approach to overcoming the challenges hindering the successful implementation of the proposed allowance.
In addition to the teacher allowance initiative, Mahama also announced plans to review the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy within the first 100 days of his next term if elected.
The former President acknowledged the positive impact of the Free SHS program on the country’s education but stressed the importance of a thorough review to enhance its benefits for both students and parents.
“When you implement a policy, you must take stock after a while to see whether you are achieving your target. When we win power in 2024, we will have a forum to review the education sector, and we will invite teachers, parents, educationists, and students. We will address issues that are not going well, like the feeding of students,” Mahama explained.
Expressing concern over the rising costs associated with the Free SHS policy, Mahama highlighted the need for measures to ensure that education remains affordable.
He shared a personal anecdote about his nephew benefiting from the Free SHS policy but lamented the additional financial burden placed on his family due to the mismanagement of the economy.
“When we come, within 100 days, we will review the Free Senior High School so that teachers, parents, and students will enjoy the benefits of the Free SHS policy,” Mahama promised, underlining his commitment to creating positive changes in the education sector if given the opportunity to serve as President once again.
As the 2024 general election approaches, Mahama’s promises to address the needs of rural teachers and enhance the Free SHS policy reflect a strategic focus on education, highlighting the importance of investing in the nation’s future through comprehensive and thoughtful initiatives.
Source: GESHub.org
