The Ghana Education Service (GES) has set a deadline of October 5 for submitting the necessary documents to resolve the ongoing payment dispute affecting teachers in the country. According to Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, the Service is working closely with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to address the issue and ensure that teachers receive their outstanding payments. This move aims to bring to a close the dispute that has been affecting the education sector.
Mr. Fenyi, in an interview on an Accra-based FM station on September 28, emphasized that the focus should now be on finding a solution rather than assigning blame. He expressed his hesitation to engage in “blame games” and stressed the urgent need for teachers to receive their payments. The teacher unions have been pressing for a resolution to the matter, and the GES is working to meet their demands. The involvement of the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders is crucial in resolving the dispute.
The Ministry of Education has been actively involved in resolving the dispute, with the Education Minister meeting with teacher unions on September 28 to provide assurances. The Minister directed GES to work with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to finalize the necessary documentation. This includes input forms, promotion letters, and other essential documents required for the payment process. The collaborative effort aims to expedite the resolution of the dispute.
According to Mr. Fenyi, the documentation required for the payment process is crucial, and the figures being discussed cover both teaching and non-teaching staff. He mentioned that there are approximately 59,000 to 60,000 teaching staff affected by the dispute. The GES had initially considered processing the affected teachers through automatic placement, but the Controller and Accountant General’s Department insisted on the input forms being crucial to their work.
The GES is working around the clock to meet the revised deadline of October 5. Mr. Fenyi confirmed that some staff were still working late at the GES headquarters to ensure that the deadline is met. The Service is approaching the matter with a positive and collaborative attitude, working closely with teacher unions and other stakeholders to prioritize teachers’ welfare.
Mr. Fenyi clarified that the 4 p.m. deadline being discussed was for the following Monday, October 5, not September 28. He assured teachers that the GES would meet the deadline, having previously met several deadlines and worked under pressure. The Service is committed to ensuring that teachers’ desires are met so that they can return to the classroom without further disruptions.
The GES is keen to avoid disrupting the academic calendar, which has been stabilized. Mr. Fenyi emphasized that the Service would continue to work around the clock to resolve the dispute and ensure that teachers can focus on their duties. The resolution of the payment dispute is crucial to maintaining stability in the education sector and ensuring that teachers can deliver quality education to students.
Key points
- The Ghana Education Service sets October 5 deadline for documents to resolve teacher payment dispute.
- Ministry of Education directs GES to work with Controller and Accountant General’s Department to finalize necessary documentation.
- Approximately 59,000 to 60,000 teaching staff are affected by the payment dispute.
