Teachers demand apology from MP for calling them drunks

Teachers in Afram Plains have threatened to demonstrate against their Member of Parliament if he does not apologise for his uncomplimentary remark, describing teachers as drunks.

Member of Parliament of Afram Plains North, Emmanuel Aboagye Didieye in an interview with Adom News on Thursday said that, close to 60% of teachers resort to alcoholism rather than focusing on their responsibilities in the classroom.

Mr. Didieye said said the teachers do not merit the amount and conditions of service they are demanding from the government because they use their salaries and allowances on alcohol.

He challenged the Teachers to convince the government why it should meet their demands after they have failed the country’s educational sector.

The MP said that research indicates that 48% of Junior High School graduates have consistently failed to enter Senior High School because the teachers have failed to to improve on their performance.

He linked this situation to the cancellation of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2002/03 academic year in his constituency.

The teachers have however asked the Member of Parliament to render an unqualified apology to them or face their wrath.

The Circuit Supervisor at Donkorkrom, Moses Tangbe said Mr Didieye should have focused on dialoguing with them rather than using abusive words that have the potential of escalating issues.

Speaking to Adakabre Frimpong Manso on Adom Fm’s “Dwaso Nsem” on Friday, Mr. Tangbe explained that the teachers are demanding better salaries and enumerations because, according to him “the teachers’ profession involves risks and sacrifices”.

Moses Tangbe said the Members of Parliament who are demanding GHC 7000 allowances are those who rather spend their money on alcohol and womanizing.

“We all know that MPs waste state funds on ‘small girls’ and the ‘blue kiosks’ so what are they telling us?", he asked.

He said teachers should not be blamed for the low standards in the education sector because of the high number of students who have failed to enter the Senior High Schools and the Universities.

He blamed the students for failing to study and learning for the exams.

Story: Samuel Mantey/Adom News