NaSIA explain why GES teachers are sidelined in schools inspection

The National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) formerly the National Inspectorate Board (NIB), has explained why trained teachers under the Ghana Education Service (GES) have been sidelined to embark on schools inspections.

The explanation comes after the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) raised concern over the National Schools Authority’s decision not to use government school teachers for the inspection of schools in the country.

“One wonders whether it’s right for the Inspector to be the one to collect fees and charges. And again, I have never seen the report that NASIA is supposed to bring out quarterly on the inspection work that they have done.

It looks as if the leader of NASIA as of now does not understand the job that is been given to her,” the President of the teacher union – National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu stated.

But NaSIA in a statement sighted by Pretertiary.com emphasised that the GES institutions are regulated by NaSIA, and it is against NaSIA’s Inspection policy to engage active-duty teachers for inspections as it will be counterproductive.

“During our inspections, we observe teaching and learning in the classroom during school hours. Hence, a need to have active GES teachers in the classroom doing their duty as teachers while we do our duty as Inspectors

To this end and acknowledging the importance of teachers in our inspection processes, we only engage trained former GES teachers and retired GES teachers as contract Inspectors on an as-needed basis,” NaSIA said in the statement.

On the matter of NaSIA inspectors collecting fees and charges as said by NAGRAT, the Authority clarified that the fees collected are approved under the Second Schedule, Part E of the Fees and Charges Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2481).

“NaSIA’s fees are approved under the Second Schedule, Part E of the Fees and Charges Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2481). Hence, NaSIA is only mandated by law to collect these fees and charges and will be in breach of the law if we fail to do so,” the management explained.

Reacting to NAGRAT’s claim it had never seen the report that NASIA is supposed to bring out quarterly on the inspection work that they have done, the Authority said it produces individual inspection reports which are submitted to the schools it inspects adding that also produce annual aggregate reports which are published on its website.

“NaSIA produces individual inspection reports which are submitted to the schools we inspect. We also produce annual aggregate reports which are published on our website: www.nasia.gov.gh,” the Inspectorate Authority noted.