The Member of Parliament for Kwahu Afram Plains North, Kpeli Worlase ESQ, has appealed to the government to urgently engage striking teachers and address their concerns to enable them to return to the classroom.

Speaking at this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration at Tease in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, Lawyer Worlase said the growth and development of the country depended on teachers.

“The growth of this nation depends on teachers, so government should do everything possible to get our teachers back to their classrooms. We cannot sacrifice the future of our children,” he said.

The MP also raised concerns about the working conditions of teachers in the Kwahu Afram Plains North and South districts.

He described the area as one of the most deprived education districts in the country and said some teachers and supervisors risked their lives crossing rivers without life jackets to supervise schools.

“If we want teachers to stay and give their best, we must give them special incentives and allowances. That is the only way to improve teaching and learning in deprived areas like Afram Plains,” Lawyer Kpeli Worlase said.

Some teachers who spoke at the event also called on the government to pay all outstanding promotion arrears in full instead of in phases.

“Paying promotions in phases demoralizes teachers. If government pays everything at once, it will boost morale and help end this strike,” one teacher said.

Other teachers appealed to the teacher unions to reduce interest rates on loans available to teachers.

“The interest rates on teachers’ loans are too high. Our unions should do something about it to improve the welfare of teachers,” another teacher said.

The celebration also saw some outstanding teachers honoured for their dedication and contribution to education in the district.