Public Schools Reopen Today as Teachers Return After Two-Week Strike
The strike, which began on September 25, was suspended on Friday, October 9, following negotiations involving the unions, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Council of State. The unions directed their members to return to the classroom while discussions on outstanding concerns continue.
Why teachers went on strike
The industrial action was led by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers’ Association of Ghana (PRETAG).
The unions cited unresolved concerns over teachers’ conditions of service, delays in placing promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales, unpaid promotion-related arrears and the implementation of a 20 per cent deprived-area allowance. They also demanded progress on a new collective agreement after the existing one expired.
The strike followed unsuccessful efforts to resolve the concerns before the unions began the action on September 25. During the stoppage, the unions maintained that teachers should remain off duty until their demands were addressed.
What government has promised teachers
An agreement reached on October 9 set out timelines for addressing several of the outstanding issues. The FWSC provided details of the commitments following negotiations with the teacher unions.
Under the agreement, promotion- and placement-related arrears are expected to be paid to 51,000 teachers by October 16, 2026. The remaining payments are expected to be completed by the end of October.
The government also committed to addressing the deprived-area allowance, with the modalities for its implementation expected to be announced in January 2027. The allowance is a longstanding concern for teachers serving in deprived communities.
Two other allowances have been assigned payment timelines. The complementary digital instruction support allowance is expected to be paid in November 2026, while the continuous professional development allowance is scheduled for December 2026. According to the FWSC, negotiations on these two allowances had been concluded.
The agreement also provides for further negotiations on issues that remain unresolved. This means the return to school is taking place alongside continued discussions between the unions and government rather than after every demand has been fully settled.
Teachers’ strike suspension does not end negotiations
GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah has stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as the conclusion of negotiations.
Speaking to Citi News on October 9, he said the outstanding issues had not been fully resolved and that discussions with government would continue until the matters were addressed.
The unions’ decision followed engagements with the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, the Council of State and the FWSC. The discussions were aimed at resolving the dispute and enabling teachers to return to their classrooms.
The Council of State also held talks with the unions as part of the efforts to settle the impasse.
How schools will recover lost teaching time
The strike disrupted classroom teaching during a period when schools were expected to be carrying out their academic programmes. The return to school therefore raises the question of how teachers and education authorities will address the lessons missed during the stoppage.
Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Apaak has said the Ghana Education Service (GES) will work with teachers to develop a plan to recover the lost instructional time. He expressed confidence that the missed two weeks could be recovered without significantly disrupting the academic calendar.
The proposed recovery plan is important for schools seeking to complete their planned teaching activities and prepare students for upcoming assessments and examinations. However, the precise arrangements for recovering the lost lessons will depend on the plan developed by the GES in consultation with teachers.
What parents and students should expect
With public schools expected to reopen on Monday, October 12, parents and guardians should prepare their children to return to school and follow instructions communicated by their respective school authorities.
The immediate priority is to restore normal classroom activities. At the same time, teachers’ unions and government agencies will be expected to honour the timelines agreed upon for the outstanding payments and continue negotiations on unresolved matters.
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The next major dates to watch are October 16, when payments are expected to reach 51,000 teachers, and the end of October, when the remaining promotion- and placement-related arrears are expected to be paid. The implementation arrangements for the deprived-area allowance are expected to be announced in January 2027.
The return to classrooms marks the end of the immediate stoppage, but the lasting resolution of the dispute will depend on whether the agreed commitments are fulfilled and the remaining issues are settled.
