The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) in Ghana has announced that it will not call off the ongoing teachers' strike until the government provides concrete and binding timelines for resolving the outstanding concerns raised by the unions. According to NAGRAT President, Jacob Anaba, the union wants the government's commitments on the Collective Agreement, promotion-related payments, and the Deprived Area Allowance documented and signed before teachers return to the classroom.
The strike, which began recently, is over outstanding concerns including promotion-related payments, the Collective Agreement, and the Deprived Area Allowance. NAGRAT and other teacher unions have been pressing for these issues to be addressed, citing the impact on their members. In a recent meeting with the Education Ministry, the government proposed timelines for addressing the various concerns, but the unions are yet to engage further on the proposals.
October 6 has been proposed as the date for negotiations on the Collective Agreement, while the government has indicated that payment of the Deprived Area Allowance will begin in January 2027. The immediate processing of promotion-related payments was also identified as one of the issues to be addressed. However, Mr. Anaba stated that the October 6 timeline alone was not sufficient because negotiations on the Collective Agreement could take some time.
NAGRAT wants to see the financial commitment for promotion-related payments translated into actual payments to affected teachers. According to Mr. Anaba, the union needs to see the money hitting the accounts of its members who are qualified and have to be paid. The union also welcomed the government's indication that payment of the Deprived Area Allowance would begin in January 2027 but wants the commitment formally documented.
The proposed timelines for addressing the concerns raised by NAGRAT and other teacher unions were presented during a meeting with the Education Ministry. However, Mr. Anaba explained that the issues raised by NAGRAT were not formally tabled during the meeting because the government had only presented the proposed timelines. The unions are yet to engage further on the issues that the government has raised.
The pre-tertiary teacher unions are currently on an indefinite strike, with many pupils left unsupervised. The strike has affected many schools, particularly in the Northern Region. The Education Ministry has renewed its appeal for teachers to return to class, but the unions have vowed to stay home until their salaries reflect on their payslips.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is set to meet with teacher unions on October 6 as the strike continues. NAGRAT and other unions have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met. The government has also been urged to take a more proactive approach to resolving the issues, with some critics calling for more funds to be allocated to education.
Key points
- NAGRAT demands signed timelines for resolving promotion-related payments and the Deprived Area Allowance.
- The strike has affected many schools, particularly in the Northern Region.
- The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is set to meet with teacher unions on October 6.
