The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has rejected the government's latest assurances regarding the concerns that led to the ongoing teachers' strike. GNAT insists that the August 31 agreement must be implemented first. The Ministry of Education has renewed its appeal to striking pre-tertiary teachers to return to the classroom, but the unions have refused to call off their indefinite industrial action.
According to GNAT Head of Salaries, Isaac Baah, the union is unwilling to call off the strike based on another round of promises. He stated that similar commitments were made during an earlier meeting involving the relevant stakeholders on August 31. At this meeting, specific commitments were reached on the placement of promoted teachers on the salary scale.
The August 31 agreement stated that all promoted teachers would be placed on their respective salary scales by the end of September 2026. Additionally, supplementary payrolls would be raised for any affected teachers who remained unpaid. The agreement also provided for automatic placement, meaning promoted teachers would not need to submit payslips, forms, or applications.
Mr. Baah expressed skepticism about the government's fresh assurances, questioning why teachers should accept them when the earlier agreement has yet to be fully implemented. He criticized the introduction of additional validation requirements for promoted teachers, arguing that this creates unnecessary delays. According to him, the Ghana Education Service (GES) already conducts the promotion process and submits a master list of successful candidates to the Controller and Accountant-General's Department (CAGD) for placement.
GNAT is demanding concrete implementation of the August 31 commitments rather than further assurances before considering a return to the classroom. The union is among the teacher groups that began an indefinite strike on September 25 over outstanding concerns, including promotion-related arrears, delays in concluding a new Collective Agreement, and the Deprived Area Allowance.
The strike by GNAT and other teacher unions has significant implications for Ghana's education sector. The unions' concerns highlight the challenges faced by teachers in the country, including issues related to remuneration and working conditions. The government's response to these concerns will be crucial in resolving the ongoing dispute.
The Ministry of Education's appeal to teachers to return to the classroom suggests a desire to minimize disruptions to the academic calendar. However, GNAT's insistence on the implementation of the August 31 agreement indicates that a resolution to the strike may take time. The situation remains a pressing concern for stakeholders in Ghana's education sector.
Key points
- GNAT demands implementation of August 31 agreement before calling off strike.
- Government's fresh assurances rejected by GNAT due to previous unfulfilled commitments.
- Ongoing strike affects pre-tertiary education in Ghana.
