We don’t need your permission to form an Association – PECC tells NIB
The Private Education Coalition Committee (PECC) has indicated its displeasure to the National Inspectorate Board (NIB) on the latter’s non-recognition of existence of the former.
Leadership of the PECC has stated unequivocally that, they do not need the permission of the Inspectorate Board to validate the formation and existence of their Association as the Constitution of Ghana permits Freedom of Association.
In a release signed by Leadership of the PECC, it indicated the Inspectorate Board has issued a letter asking the public to disregard the inauguration of PECC, which is made up of eight (8) private education bodies.
The reason for the action taken by the NIB as stated in their release is because neither the Ministry of Education nor the Inspectorate body recognise the PECC.
Meanwhile, “it is important to note that on 4th November, 2020, the Pre-Tertiary Directorate of Ministry of Education held a stakeholders engagement with private schools and other development partners at the Aknac Hotel. All private school associations had the opportunity to make a presentation and PECC members also had the opportunity to do the same. The National Inspectorate Board, although invited, had no representative. This may be the reason they are unaware of PECC.”
PECC in furtherance of their response indicated it was time the division in the sector was ameliorated to foster unity to provide better education for Ghanaian wards at the pre-tertiary level.
“We want to emphatically state that, the days of divide and rule are over. We have crossed the Rubicon, and have resolved to march forward in unity. And that the focus of PECC is to strengthen the collaboration of all stakeholders in the Private Education sphere. This will no doubt result in pupils who are more than prepared to be global citizens,” the statement emphasized.
Inauguration of the Association as stated in the disclaimer would come off as scheduled for Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the Legon Botanical Gardens at 10:00 GMT.
Read the full press release below:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DISCLAIMER:
RE: DIRECTIVE TO DISREGARD ANY INFORMATION ON THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRIVATE EDUCATION COALITION COMMITTEE
The Leadership of the Private Education Coalition Committee (PECC) has cited a letter with reference: NIB /MEDIA /20/12/01 wrongly dated “Friday 12th December, 2020,” going viral.
In the above quoted letter, the National Inspectorate Board advised the general public to disregard the information on social media about the inauguration of PECC because the committee is neither recognized by the Ministry of Education nor the National Inspectorate Authority.
It is important to note that on 4th November, 2020, the Pre-Tertiary Directorate of Ministry of Education held a stakeholders engagement with private schools and other development partners at the Aknac Hotel. All private school associations had the opportunity to make a presentation and PECC members also had the opportunity to do the same. The National Inspectorate Authority, although invited, had no representative. This may be the reason they are unaware of PECC.
We hereby use this opportunity to reiterate the following:
- Chapter five (Article 21 clause 1(e) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees freedom of association, which includes freedom to form or join unions.
- As private school associations and councils, we do not need the recognition or authorization of the Ministry of Education or the National Inspectorate Authority to form and inaugurate our union; as it is our fundamental human right and freedom.
As a union of eight private education bodies, we deemed it fit to invite the Education Ministry and the National Inspectorate Authority to our inauguration, considering the critical roles we all play as partners, to develop the Ghanaian child at the Pre-Tertiary level. It is in this regard that we extended our invitation to the Ministry of Education and the National Inspectorate Authority.
We want to emphatically state that, the days of divide and rule are over. We have crossed the Rubicon, and have resolved to march forward in unity. And that the focus of PECC is to strengthen the collaboration of all stakeholders in the Private Education sphere. This will no doubt result in pupils who are more than prepared to be global citizens.
We are by this constitutional provision issuing this disclaimer and urging all well-meaning private educationists and the general public, to give us their unflinching support by attending the PECC inauguration per the schedule below.
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