Ghana Teachers’ Strike: Unions to Consult Members Before Deciding on Return to Classroom
The leadership of Ghana’s three major pre-tertiary teacher unions is expected to consult its members before deciding whether teachers should return to the classroom following fresh proposals from government.
The position emerged after a meeting between government and the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) on Friday, October 2, 2026.
A video published by JoyNews following the engagement carries the union position that a decision on whether teachers should return to the classroom would be communicated after consultations with their members.
Teachers’ strike remains unresolved after government meeting
The October 2 meeting did not immediately end the industrial action.
According to reports following the engagement, government presented new proposals aimed at addressing the concerns that led the unions to begin their nationwide strike on September 25.
The union leadership indicated that the proposals would have to be taken back to members for consideration before a decision could be made on the next step.
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This means that the question of whether teachers will resume classroom duties is still dependent on the outcome of the unions’ consultations.
PRETAG President King Ali Awudu subsequently urged teachers to remain at home until the union leadership issued further direction. (Adomonline.com)
Government wants teachers back in the classroom
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu appealed to the teacher unions to consider calling off the strike and returning to the classroom while discussions continue.
He said restoring normal teaching and learning in public schools was an immediate priority for government.
The Minister also assured the unions that government would honour commitments relating to outstanding concerns, including the placement of promoted teachers on their new grades and payment of associated arrears.
Government has committed to placing all promoted teachers on their new grades by October 30, 2026, according to the Education Minister.
The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department is also validating data covering about 51,000 teachers to facilitate payments connected to the promotion arrears.
Three major issues remain at the centre of the dispute
The current industrial action by GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG is linked to concerns over teachers’ promotion arrears, the renewal of their expired conditions of service and the proposed 20 per cent Deprived Area Allowance.
Government says it is taking steps on each of the issues.
The Education Minister disclosed that a committee had been established to validate data and determine teachers who qualify for the proposed deprived-area allowance. The committee includes representatives of the teacher unions and the Ghana Statistical Service.
Government has also indicated that negotiations on the expired conditions of service will resume with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on Tuesday, October 6.
What happens next?
The immediate issue for teachers is whether the unions will recommend a return to the classroom after consulting their members on government’s latest proposals.
For now, the available reports indicate that the strike has not been called off and teachers have been asked to await further direction from their leadership.
The next round of discussions with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on October 6 is also expected to form part of the broader effort to resolve the dispute over the teachers’ expired conditions of service.
Until the unions communicate their decision after consultations, the question of when teachers will resume normal classroom duties remains unresolved.
