Nova Scotia teachers mark World Teachers' Day with support to Ghanaian school
children

HALIFAX, Oct 5 /CNW/ - Teachers, community college faculty and professional support staff will mark World Teachers' Day in Nova Scotia by donating a toonie or two to be used to help children attend school in the West African nation of Ghana.

"World Teachers' Day provides an impressive canvas on which to highlight the continued educational contributions of our proud profession," says NSTU president Alexis Allen. "This long-term commitment is exemplified through this project that gives our members a chance to make a difference in the lives of students in Ghana."

Public education is free in Ghana, but uniforms, shoes, school supplies and lunches make the average cost of sending a child to school approximately $107. In a country where the average per capita income is $1,600, this presents a significant challenge.

Allen, who is also a vice-president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation, says this project places no burden on students and their families. "Seventy-two million of the world's children are denied access to education; we can change this. By doing so, we will not only be helping teachers and students in Ghana, we will be raising the profile of our own members and teachers worldwide."

The NSTU and the Canadian Teachers' Federation have also supported the education system in Ghana through the Nkabom project. In concert with the Ghana National Association of Teachers, retired NSTU members provide professional development for Ghanaian teachers. As a result, thousands of previously under-trained teachers in Ghana are now receiving PD from colleagues who have become PD Resource Persons. The Nkabom project has also identified 36 communities that have been mobilized to become strong advocates for education and schooling, and are now building schools and undertaking other projects to improve learning conditions for children in their communities.

Teachers in Nova Scotia and across Canada will join more than 50 million of their colleagues around the globe marking World Teachers' Day on October 5th. The national theme for this year's celebration is "Canadian teachers - doing it right!"

World Teachers' Day is an annual celebration of the valuable work of teachers in Canada and around the globe. It was the brainchild of a former Canadian teacher leader Norman Goble. First recognized in 1994, consecutive Nova Scotia provincial leaders have proclaimed the day since 1995. Premier Darrell Dexter has done so for 2010.

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For further information:

Angela Murray, Public Relations Coordinator, [phone] Cell: [phone]