The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to the three teacher unions to consider calling off their nationwide strike, assuring them that the government will honour its commitments on outstanding issues affecting teachers. The strike, which began on September 25, 2026, has disrupted teaching and learning in public schools. Mr Iddrisu said the government's immediate priority was to restore normal academic work in public schools.
Speaking to the media on Friday, October 2, after a meeting with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), he said the government had made commitments to address the unions' concerns. One of the key commitments relates to the payment of promotion arrears and the placement of promoted teachers on their new grades.
The government has committed to placing all promoted teachers on their new grades by October 30, 2026. The Controller and Accountant-General's Department is currently validating data covering about 51,000 teachers to facilitate payments. A supplementary payment schedule will be prepared for those whose data have been validated, while others will receive the new grades and related payments through their October salaries.
Mr Iddrisu gave an assurance that the government will not back down from its commitment. He appealed to the teacher unions to reciprocate the government's commitment by ending the industrial action. The Minister said the government is also addressing other concerns raised by the unions, including negotiations on their expired conditions of service and the proposed 20 per cent deprived-area allowance.
The unions began their nationwide strike on September 25, 2026, disrupting teaching and learning in public schools. The government and the unions are expected to continue engagements in the coming days as efforts continue to resolve the outstanding issues and restore normal academic activities. Mr Iddrisu outlined a roadmap on teachers' strike, setting timelines for allowances and promotion arrears.
Despite the government's appeal, some teacher unions have rejected the government's plea, vowing to stay home until salaries reflect on payslips. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has also appealed to teachers to rescind their strike and return to class as efforts to resolve concerns intensify. The government is racing to end the teachers' strike as the Education Minister holds crunch talks with unions.
The issue remains unresolved, with the teacher unions set to meet the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on October 6. The government has presented fresh proposals to the unions, but talks have ended inconclusively. The strike has significant implications for the education sector, and all parties are under pressure to find a resolution.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has committed to paying promotion arrears to 51,000 teachers by October 30, 2026.
- The teacher unions began their nationwide strike on September 25, 2026, disrupting teaching and learning in public schools.
- The government and teacher unions are expected to continue engagements to resolve outstanding issues and restore normal academic activities.
