The acting Volta Regional Director of Education, Marian Jemima Akua Adzroe has cautioned newly recruited teachers against professional misconduct, examination malpractice, financial impropriety and inappropriate relationships with learners.

She urged the teachers to uphold the integrity of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and strictly adhere to the service’s Code of Conduct as they begin their careers in schools across the Volta Region.

Mrs Adzroe gave the warning when she welcomed the first cohort of newly recruited teachers in the region to an orientation programme designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to successfully navigate their careers.

“The appointment of the teachers marked a transition from being individuals passionate about teaching to becoming “formal custodians of our nation’s future," she said.

According to her, the new teachers were entering the profession at a critical period of educational reform and must therefore demonstrate professionalism, discipline and commitment to duty.

She stressed the need for punctuality, regular attendance and professional decorum, urging the teachers to respect headteachers, colleagues and non-teaching staff while working as a team to create a positive school environment.

Mrs Adzroe also charged them to make their classrooms inclusive by treating all learners with dignity, paying particular attention to children with disabilities and adopting gender-responsive teaching methods that give both boys and girls equal opportunities to participate, excel and lead.

The Regional Director further urged the newly posted teachers to respect the cultures, traditions and values of the communities in which they would be serving.

“Dress decently and modestly and always  remember that teachers are role models whose conduct could influence both learners and members of the communities," she advised.

On financial and professional integrity, Mrs Adzroe warned the teachers against collecting unapproved fees from parents and students or exploiting learners for personal gain.

She also cautioned them against engaging in examination malpractice and the misuse or misappropriation of school property and public resources.

“Never exploit students or pupils under your care for personal gain, household chores, or personal business. Child labour is illegal and strictly prohibited,” she stressed.

She further cautioned the teachers to maintain strict professional boundaries with students, warning that inappropriate relationships or associations with learners could attract serious legal and professional consequences.

She also advised the teachers to exercise financial discipline, open official bank accounts promptly to facilitate salary processing and remain vigilant against cybercrime and fraudulent investment schemes promising quick financial returns.

The teachers were encouraged to join recognised teacher unions including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers-Ghana (CCT-GH) to safeguard their welfare and professional interests.

Mrs Adzroe also reminded the newly recruited teachers to follow established administrative channels when dealing with grievances and workplace challenges.

She directed them to first approach their headteachers, district directors of education or the regional directorate rather than taking internal administrative matters, grievances or official policies to the media or social media.

She expressed confidence that the new teachers would contribute meaningfully to improving education and transforming the lives of learners across the region.

Some of the newly recruited teachers, who spoke to the media, expressed their readiness to serve and contribute to the development of their respective communities.

Miss Attram Charlotte, a newly posted teacher, said she was prepared to give off her best, serve as a good teacher and become a positive role model to his learners.

“I am fully prepared and ready to serve the community I am posted to and to become a role model for my learners," she assured.

She acknowledged that some teachers would be posted to communities whose cultures and ways of life were unfamiliar to them and appealed to residents to provide a conducive environment for them to work effectively.

On her part, Joyce Afeti, another teacher, said was prepared to respect the culture and traditions of her host community while using the knowledge and skills acquired through her education to improve the lives of learners and contribute to community development.

Mr. Makafui Ayekple, also a newly recruited teacher, said the orientation had equipped them with knowledge of the GES Code of Conduct including the “dos and don’ts” of the profession.

"This orientation has opened our eyes and minds to so many things and we are ready to give our best in our various schools we are posted to," he said.

He expressed confidence in their ability to deliver their best and appealed to communities to welcome newly posted teachers and provide them with a conducive working environment.

“ I want to use this opportunity to appeal to school authorities and community members to assist some of us who might face difficulties securing accommodation in their new stations," he appealed.

The teachers said they had been assured of their safety and were therefore prepared to take up their assignments without fear.

They pledged to respect their host communities and work diligently to provide quality education to learners across the Volta Region.

Meanwhile, the Volta regional director of education , expressed his gratitude to the teacher unions and organizations like the CAL Bank, Societe-General, ABSA, ADB, SIC Life for their partnership to make the program a success.