The Ghana Education Service (GES) is working around the clock to resolve outstanding documentation issues and get teachers back into the classroom. According to Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, the Education Ministry has directed the Service to work closely with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to address concerns about delays in payments to teachers. This move aims to address the challenges faced by teachers due to payment delays.
The Education Minister recently met with teacher unions and provided assurances on efforts to resolve the situation. The Minister directed GES to provide the necessary input forms and documentation required by the Controller and Accountant General’s Department. A deadline of 4 p.m. was set for the submission of these forms, which are crucial for the processing of teacher payments. The documentation relates to teachers affected by the payment issue, with over 80,000 staff involved across teaching and non-teaching categories.
The teaching staff alone number about 59,000 to 60,000, and GES is working to prioritize their welfare. Daniel Fenyi rejected attempts to shift blame among government agencies, emphasizing that the immediate priority should be getting teachers paid. He stated that GES officials were still working at its headquarters as part of efforts to resolve the matter, with some people working around the clock to meet the revised deadline.
GES is confident it can meet the revised deadline and prioritize teachers' welfare. Fenyi mentioned that they have met a couple of deadlines and have worked under pressure in the past. The Service aims to do everything within its capacity to ensure teachers can return to the classroom. The goal is to prevent disruptions to the academic calendar, which has been stabilized.
The Ghana Education Service would not want the situation to disrupt the academic calendar. Fenyi emphasized that they have stabilized the calendar, and it is a good step for the Service. GES is working to prevent any disruptions and ensure a smooth continuation of the academic year. The Service is committed to resolving the payment issues and getting teachers back to work.
GES set an October 5 deadline to resolve teachers' payment disputes. The Service is working closely with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to address the concerns of teachers. The Education Ministry's intervention has helped to provide assurances to teacher unions, and GES is working to implement the necessary measures to resolve the situation.
The situation has led to a call for an end to blame games among government agencies. GES is urging all parties to focus on resolving the payment issues rather than apportioning blame. The Service is working to provide a solution to the challenges faced by teachers and ensure that they receive their payments promptly.
Key points
- GES is working around the clock to resolve outstanding documentation issues and get teachers back into the classroom.
- The Education Minister met with teacher unions and provided assurances on efforts to resolve the situation.
- GES set an October 5 deadline to resolve teachers' payment disputes.
