The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a warning to heads of schools and teachers against charging illegal fees, including admission fees and other unauthorised levies. This warning was given by the Director-General of the GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, at a press conference in Accra. He stated that any school head or teacher found culpable would face sanctions in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Service.
Prof. Davis also appealed to teacher unions to call off their ongoing strike, expressing concern about the impact of the strike on teaching and learning, particularly as it comes just two weeks into the new academic calendar. He urged teachers to return to the classrooms while negotiations and efforts to resolve their grievances continue. According to him, the GES has begun working on a roadmap to address the concerns raised by the teacher unions and remains committed to resolving the issues.
The Director-General highlighted key achievements by the GES, including the removal of the ceiling on teacher promotions. He said this measure was part of efforts to improve the career progression of teachers and address some of the concerns surrounding promotions within the Service. This move aims to boost teacher morale and motivation.
In the long term, the academic calendar has been synchronised to ensure greater consistency in the school year. This change is expected to bring stability and uniformity to the education system, allowing for better planning and implementation of academic programs. The GES believes this will have a positive impact on the overall quality of education.
Prof. Davis reiterated the Service's commitment to engaging the teacher unions and finding lasting solutions to their concerns. He urged teachers to consider the impact of the strike on students and the academic calendar, emphasising the need for a resolution to the impasse. The GES is working to address the grievances of the teacher unions.
The GES appealed to the striking teachers to call off the industrial action and allow the ongoing engagement and roadmap for resolving their grievances to proceed. The Service is committed to finding a solution that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. This appeal comes as the strike continues to disrupt academic activities.
The strike by teacher unions has significant implications for the education sector in Ghana. With the new academic calendar just beginning, the GES is under pressure to resolve the issues and get teachers back to the classrooms. The Service's efforts to address the concerns of teacher unions and end the strike are ongoing, with a focus on finding a lasting solution.
Key points
- GES warns schools and teachers against charging illegal fees.
- Director-General urges teachers to end strike.
- GES works on roadmap to address teacher unions' concerns.
