Three teacher unions, GNAT, NAGRAT and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers have declared a nationwide strike.
The strike, which according to the three unions is a result of the delay in negotiation of their conditions of service and also the decision by the Office of the Special Prosecutor to freeze the salaries of some teachers begins today, March 20, 2024.
This was announced at a press conference on Wednesday, March 20 by the President of GNAT Rev. Isaac Owusu.
According to Rev. Owusu, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) had failed to address some pressing issues hindering their progress of work adding that government failed to renegotiate a Collective Agreement which addresses issues such as allowances for teachers in under-served areas, entertainment allowance, and housing/rent allowance.
He revealed that the agreement was expected to be completed on or before February 29, 2024, but that has not been done.
“The new Collective Agreement stands un-negotiated, and we raised this concern in our letter to the Director General, GES, dated February 29, 2024, and also informed the National Labour Commission (NIC),” Rev. Owusu added.
The teachers among other things are thereby calling on the government and the GES to complete the distribution of laptops, avoid the frequent changes of the school calendar without recourse to negotiation with the teacher unions which affects the smooth operation of the Service and reverse the blockage of Teachers salaries by the Office of Special Prosecutor without recourse to laid down procedures.
“In the light of the above circumstances and given the delays, unfulfilled promises on the part of the Employer and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, (FWSC) and also threats from the rank and file of our members, we the Pre-tertiary Teacher Unions do stand with our members and hereby declare a nationwide strike,” Rev. Owusu added.
