The Ghana Education Service (GES) Teacher Unions, comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ghana National Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-G), have made a significant decision to call off their strike action, effective immediately. This directive, announced by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Teacher Unions, entails that all teachers in pre-tertiary education across Ghana are to promptly resume their duties in the classroom.
The decision to embark on a nationwide strike arose from a culmination of nine critical issues concerning the teachers’ Conditions of Service. These concerns, which had prompted the strike action, ranged from the pending receipt of teachers’ laptops to the release of blocked salaries by the Special Prosecutor, along with the awaited implementation of the new Scheme of Service document among others.
Following the initiation of dialogue between the National Labour Commission (NLC), Ministry of Education, and the Teacher Unions on March 21, 2024, progress was made on three of the nine issues. These advancements included the resolution regarding teachers’ pending laptops, the new Scheme of Service document, and the release of blocked salaries. However, six issues remained unresolved, encompassing matters such as transportation allowance, assessment allowance, rent allowance, deprived area allowance, continuous professional development allowance, and utility subsidy allowance.
Subsequent negotiations hit an impasse during a second meeting, leading the NLC to instruct the Teacher Unions to terminate their strike before further discussions could proceed. In response, the Teacher Unions emphasized their adherence to procedural norms for ending strike actions and requested time for proper adherence to these protocols.
In a legal maneuver, the NLC pursued a court injunction to compel the Teacher Unions to halt their strike, resulting in the service of the injunction letter to the unions. In compliance with the legal mandate, the Teacher Unions promptly issued a press release announcing the cessation of their strike action and urging all members to return to their classrooms immediately.
Expressing gratitude for the solidarity exhibited by teachers during the strike, the Teacher Unions commended their members for their unwavering support. Furthermore, they assured their members of their commitment to pursuing the resolution of outstanding concerns with the government at the earliest opportunity.
The decision to call off the strike reflects a balance between the teachers’ demands and the necessity to maintain the continuity of education for Ghanaian students. It also demonstrates the importance of constructive dialogue and negotiation in addressing labor grievances within the educational sector while upholding the rule of law.
As teachers heed the call to return to their classrooms, the focus now shifts towards fostering an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning, underpinned by a mutual commitment between educators and the government to address pertinent issues affecting the teaching profession. Through sustained engagement and collaboration, stakeholders can work towards achieving lasting solutions that prioritize the welfare of teachers and the quality of education in Ghana.
GH Educate will inform you of any developments regarding this petition by the GES Teacher Unions.
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