Keep Schools Open Despite Strike By Teachers – GES tells Headteachers

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has charged headteachers in basic schools and SHS to open schools despite strike by teachers.

The heads of public Kindergarten, Primary Schools, as well as Junior and Senior High Schools, have swiftly received directives from the Regional and District Directors. They are tasked with mobilizing their management teams to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students within their respective schools.

In response to the imminent strike action, parents are urged to remain composed as the Management closely monitors the unfolding situation. They are assured that further guidance will be provided accordingly.

Furthermore, Regional and District Directors have been specifically instructed to ensure that schools remain open and operational. They are mandated to closely supervise all children who attend school during this period, pending additional directives from the GES Management.

READ ALSO Three Teacher Unions Declare Nationwide Strike

The strike announcement by the Teacher Unions underscores ongoing tensions within Ghana’s education sector, raising concerns about the continuity of educational services and the welfare of students. As both parties navigate this situation, stakeholders will be closely watching for updates and resolutions in the coming days.

The three prominent teacher unions in Ghana, namely the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) jointly announced a nationwide strike on Wednesday.

This significant decision has been prompted by what the unions perceive as the government’s neglect towards addressing their pressing concerns regarding their terms of service.

Among the key grievances outlined by the unions are the continuous withholding of teachers’ salaries, arbitrary changes to timetables without prior consultation with the unions, and delays in the distribution of essential equipment, such as laptops, to educators.

Speaking on behalf of GNAT, the National President, Isaac Owusu, emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging all teachers to adhere to the directive. Owusu expressed deep concern over the failure to distribute laptops to teachers, the frequent alterations to school calendars without dialogue with unions, and the obstruction of teachers’ salaries by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, bypassing established protocols.

Considering the persistent delays and unmet commitments from the authorities and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, coupled with mounting pressure from union members, the teacher unions have taken a unified stand to initiate a nationwide industrial action effective immediately.

This strike is intended to assert the demands of teachers and compel the government to address their grievances promptly and comprehensively.

In light of this development, it is crucial for stakeholders to engage constructively in dialogue to resolve the underlying issues and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of education across the nation.

National President of GNAT, Isaac Owusu said all teachers should heed to the directive.