The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA) has taken a bold stance against the Ghana Education Service (GES), calling on its members to disregard any operational guidelines imposed by the GES that the NCPTA did not develop.
In a circular to its members, the NCPTA emphasized that the GES has no authority to regulate the operations of a private body, asserting its autonomy and independence. Raphael Kofi Gapson, the General Secretary of the NCPTA, stressed that the association is a partner and collaborator with the GES, not subject to its regulatory control.
He revealed that the GES has yet to respond
to their letter, urging the GES to withhold the guidelines for further
deliberation. Gapson highlighted legal issues surrounding the matter, signaling
the association's readiness to pursue appropriate actions if the GES fails to
respond.
The NCPTA has given the GES until the end of the week to
respond, indicating that the association is prepared to escalate the matter if
necessary. The circular affirms the NCPTA's autonomy, stating that it is a
private entity registered under the Company Act in 2013, with its own
constitution and structures.
At the heart of the dispute is the GES's attempt to rename
the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to Parent Association (PA). The NCPTA
demands an immediate reversal of the imposed name, asserting that it is
illegal, unlawful, and unethical to change their brand and identity.
As the NCPTA awaits the GES's response, the association is resolute in defending its name and autonomy, highlighting its 70-year history of operation. The unfolding developments underscore the tension between private associations and regulatory bodies in the education sector.
