Association of Catholic Teachers ACT Conference Held in BW District Zebilla –UER

Over 2,000 teachers drawn from the various Basic and Senior High schools in 14 parishes under the
Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese have been trained and awarded with certificates.
   

The training organized in 2016 till date involves 6,037 Basic and Senior High School Students and 35 Directors.  

Aside the training, schools under the said parishes have been provided with classroom blocks and dormitories with toilet facilities. Renovation works have been undertaken in some existing schools. 

Moreover, tuition and mock exams were being organized for beneficiary schools. This was disclosed to Radio Ghana by the Regional Manager of Catholic Education Unit, CEU Reverend Sister Bernadine Permii, during a two-day Diocesan Conference of the Association of Catholic Teachers ACT of Navrongo-Bolgatanga. 

The conference was under the theme “The Catholic Teacher: A tool for Quality Education and Evangelization”. 

The ACT was inaugurated in 2016 in Bolgatanga, under the auspices of His Lordship, Right Reverend Bishop Alfred Adjenta. 

ACT is a group of Catholic teachers, promoting professional practice from a religious point of view rather than secular activities. It plays a complementary role as a faith-based body anchored on the teachings of Christ and it mandates its members to carry Christ to the classrooms and offices. 

The objective of ACT among others is to provide professional and qualitaty development as well as education and leadership service to members of the church towards building a self-reliant community.

Speaking on the theme, a retired educationist Paul Apanga said, quality education is not merely preparing students to pass examination alone but also training the youth based on the Catholic principles. 

He indicated that, the right to education as guaranteed in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights in Article 26, states that “Everyone has the right to Education.” Education, he said shall be for free at least in the elementary and fundamental levels. 

However, Mr. Apanga added that this declaration cannot be achieved if there are no quality teachers to teach. He advised them to give off their best as they are being coached as teachers by the principles of Christ.  

Mr. Apanga explained that lack of refresher courses for teachers is a contributory factor to the poor performance of the country’s educational system. 

The Coordinator of Catholic schools of the Diocese, Dr. Joseph Ayambilla reminded teachers that their profession is a call to duty, a call to discipline and mentoring of the future leaders of this country. 

He added that good conduct is very crucial in the discharge of their duties as far as the church is concern.