Civil society organizations in the country will today, June 6 hold a major education decentralization summit to push for an end to teacher absenteeism.

The summit which will draw participants from government, civil society organizations and the private sector is expected to explore ways of ending what has largely been identified as a major threat to quality education in the country.

Speaking to Joy News ahead of the summit, Executive Director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah said the issue of teacher absenteeism is one of the factors responsible for poor performances of the children.

He said “When you look at teacher absenteeism [it] is affecting the children,” adding the issue has come about because teachers have to travel to the city to chase after their allowances.

He also said some of the teachers refuse to go to the classrooms because they have to wok on their promotions which could only be done in the city.

According to him, the repetitive nature of the issue “affects the time on a task that children also get from teachers which of course also affects the quality of education at that level.”

To resolve the issue, Mr Appiah said it will be important offices responsilble for the promotions and welfare of the teachers to be set up in the districts to end the menace.