Ghana's Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, will meet with the leadership of three pre-tertiary teacher unions on Monday to address their concerns and seek a resolution to the ongoing dispute. The meeting will bring together the Ministry of Education, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Controller and Accountant-General's Department. The unions, which include the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the National Association of Graduate Teachers, and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana, declared a nationwide strike on Friday.
The strike was called due to prolonged delays and unfulfilled commitments by the government, according to the unions. They cited several outstanding issues, including the delay in negotiating a new collective agreement following the expiration of the existing agreement. The unions expected the negotiations to be completed by June 2026 but remain outstanding despite several engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
One of the major concerns of the unions is the automatic placement of teachers who successfully passed promotion examinations in December 2025 and February 2026 onto the appropriate salary scales, together with payment of arrears, effective January 2026. The unions also demand the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance for teachers working in underserved communities. These issues have persisted despite several engagements with the relevant government agencies.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers, the National Association of Graduate Teachers, and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana have expressed frustration over the government's inaction on these issues. The unions believe that the government's failure to address their concerns has necessitated the strike. The meeting on Monday is expected to provide a platform for the parties to engage and find a solution to the dispute.
The strike has disrupted academic activities across the country, with teachers refusing to report to work. The government has urged the unions to reconsider their decision and return to the classroom. The Education Minister's meeting with the unions is seen as a crucial step towards resolving the dispute and ensuring that students return to school.
If an agreement is reached, it could pave the way for the unions to call off the strike and for students to return to school. The government's response to the unions' demands will be crucial in determining the outcome of the dispute. The meeting on Monday is expected to provide clarity on the government's position and the way forward.
The dispute highlights the challenges facing Ghana's education sector, including the need for improved working conditions and remuneration for teachers. The government's handling of the situation will have implications for the sector and the country's education system as a whole.
Key points
- The Education Minister will meet with teacher unions to address their demands and seek a resolution to the ongoing dispute.
- The unions are demanding the automatic placement of teachers who passed promotion examinations onto the appropriate salary scales, together with payment of arrears.
- The strike has disrupted academic activities across the country, with teachers refusing to report to work.
