In recent news, the President of the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, King Ali, has shed light on an important aspect of education in Ghana—the Professional Development Allowance (PDA).
King Ali asserts that the PDA is not solely intended for teachers but also for the National Teaching Council (NTC).
King Ali highlights that the three major teacher unions in Ghana collaborated with the government in a crucial effort to enhance the professionalism of educators.
This endeavor aimed to make all teachers more professional by requiring them to participate in workshops and other forms of professional development.
This pursuit for professionalism paved the way for the establishment of the Professional Development Allowance (PDA).
Since its inception in 2020, teachers have been receiving an annual allowance of GHc 1200, usually disbursed in November. The intention behind this allowance was to support teachers in their continuous professional growth.
However, controversy arose when the NTC announced a deduction of GHc 150 from the allowance to purchase 6 NTC points for each teacher. This decision sparked protests and demonstrations among teachers, who felt that their hard-earned money was being deducted unjustly.
King Ali, however, offers a different perspective. He argues that the PDA is not meant to be seen as a Christmas bonus or a one-time financial gift. Instead, he believes it should be viewed as an investment in the ongoing development of teachers.
Source: GESHub.org
