By Ashiadey Dotse
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, (NAPO) the running mate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), on October 25, 2024, defended his party’s initiatives to improve the welfare of teachers during his tenure as Minister of Education.
During the Manifesto Watch segment on GTV, Dr. Prempeh responded to concerns about teachers’ conditions and initiatives aimed at improving their resources. One significant point he addressed was the “One Teacher, One Laptop” initiative, which aimed to provide every teacher in Ghana with a laptop to enhance teaching and learning.
Dr. Prempeh stated that while he was Minister of Education, the government ensured that every teacher who promised a laptop did indeed receive one. He noted that this initiative began during his tenure and was executed based on a clear count of teachers at that time.
However, he acknowledged that since he departed from the ministry, about 20,000 to 30,000 more teachers have been employed, indicating that the need for laptops is continually changing as new teachers join the profession each year.
He explained that teachers who are newly employed after his tenure may not have received laptops immediately, as there is a system in place where teachers must first start working before they are eligible to receive their laptops.
Dr. Prempeh reassured that the current Minister of Education is committed to extending the initiative to cover new teachers. He highlighted the government’s dynamic approach to the program, reflecting the evolving nature of the teaching workforce in Ghana.
Furthermore, Dr. Prempeh mentioned the extension of the initiative to students, with the government working on a “One Student, One Laptop” program for secondary school students, which also aims to bridge the technology gap in education.
In response to questions about teachers’ complaints regarding unpaid allowances and challenges within the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, Dr. Prempeh defended the NPP’s efforts to improve teachers’ conditions. He argued that teachers are 100% better off under the NPP’s governance compared to the previous administration. He emphasized that the government’s support for education goes beyond laptops, involving broader reforms and investments in the education sector.
Addressing concerns about professional standards, Dr. Prempeh pointed out that the teaching profession, like other professions, requires licensure and ongoing development. He highlighted the importance of continuous improvement in teachers’ skills to meet the demands of the education system.
This highlighted the government’s efforts to address the evolving challenges within the education sector.