Hundreds of teachers and parents in the Anloga District of the Volta Region have taken to the streets protesting against alleged mismanagement and bullying by the District Director of Education, Mr Dominic Yao Dzanado.
The protesters, clad in red and black attire, demanded the immediate removal of the Director, citing grave concerns over the impact on teaching standards, learner performance, and staff morale.
The petition, read by Mr Gabriel Agbenyeho, one of the parents, on behalf of the teachers and parents, alleged that the District Director has engaged in actions that contravened established administrative procedures and violated the Teachers’ Code of Conduct (Revised June 2017).
“Our petition highlights 13 key issues, including the assumption of responsibility for setting end-of-term examinations, mismanagement of examination charges and quota allocations, and bullying and intimidation of headteachers and teachers,” he stated.
According to Mr Agbenyeho, the Director has prioritised personal and financial interests over the academic welfare of learners, which include engaging in external documentary providers to set non-standard examination questions.
The petitioners also alleged that sums of GHS16,000.00, GHS15,000.00, GHS12,000.00, GHS10,000.00, and GHS9,000.00 were realised at various periods per school per term for the Director and the contracted service provider responsible for setting the examinations.
The petitioners claimed that the actions had led to widespread poor performance, with approximately 97 per cent of learners failing terminal examinations over a period of nine to 10 years, and they alleged that high-performing learners were being reduced to average performance levels due to misalignment between classroom instruction and examination content.
“These concerns regarding examination standards could be addressed through professional development workshops and strengthened Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), rather than by removing teachers’ statutory responsibilities.”
He explained that the concerned parents and teachers were demanding an immediate, independent, and impartial investigation into the actions of the District Director, as well as appropriate accountability measures where wrongdoing was established.
They also seek justice and restitution or compensation for affected learners and teachers, adequate protection for whistle-blowers and all teachers vulnerable to victimisation, and strict enforcement of the Teachers’ Code of Conduct and established educational regulations.
The protesters have called on the government to take swift action to address the concerns and safeguard the integrity of basic education in the Anloga District and warned to stage a mega and further protests if their demands are not met.
Some other parents and teachers the Ghana News Agency engaged said that the situation in the Anloga District was a cause for concern, and the authorities needed to take immediate action to address the allegations and restore confidence in the education system.
They said that many other people of Anloga District are watching, and they expect the government to act swiftly to address the concerns.
Some mentioned that the education of the children of Anloga District is at stake, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that they receive the best possible education.
The petitioners were further determined to see the matter through to its logical conclusion and would not be intimidated or silenced while the struggle for quality education in Anloga District continues, and the people would not give up until justice is served.
The outcome of this petition is eagerly awaited, and it is expected that the government will take the necessary actions to address the concerns raised.
The petition was received by Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, who promised to investigate the matter further for an immediate solution.
The petitioners are urging the President to take immediate steps to address the case in accordance with due process and restore transparency, fairness, and accountability within the Anloga District.
Meanwhile, Mr Dominic Yao Dzanado, the GES Director at Anloga is yet to give details about his part of the issues.
