The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NC-PTAS) in Ghana has expressed its support for pre-tertiary teacher unions currently on strike. The council described their demands as legitimate and justified. In a statement dated September 30, 2026, the NC-PTAS urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the issues that led to the strike. The council emphasized that no nation could rise above the welfare and quality of its teachers.
According to the NC-PTAS, teachers have been frustrated by years of unfulfilled promises and abandoned memoranda of understanding. The concerns include delayed promotions, unpaid arrears, the implementation of revised collective agreements, and a 20 percent deprived-area allowance. The council argued that the Ghanaian teacher should be treated as a national asset rather than a cost to the national purse. Investment in teacher welfare, the council said, was an investment in the country's future.
The NC-PTAS highlighted the difficulties the strike was causing parents. Many had made significant sacrifices to prepare their children for the reopening of schools. Parents had spent money on uniforms, footwear, books, provisions, chop boxes, and transportation. Some had also paid for extra classes for their wards preparing for the BECE and WASSCE. The continued closure of classrooms was affecting not only teachers but also parents and families.
The council urged parents to keep their children at home until teachers returned to school, citing safety concerns and the need to avoid unnecessary costs. The NC-PTAS appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to personally intervene and direct the Ministers of Finance, Education, Labour, Fair Wages and Salaries, as well as the Controller and Accountant-General's Department and the Ghana Education Service. The council asked these stakeholders to work towards an immediate resolution.
The NC-PTAS called on politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other influential personalities to support efforts to resolve the dispute. The council emphasized that Ghana must put aside political differences and focus on improving the welfare of teachers. The future of the country, the NC-PTAS said, depended heavily on the quality of education and the people responsible for providing it.
The strike by pre-tertiary teacher unions in Ghana has significant implications for the country's education sector. The NC-PTAS's support for the striking teachers underscores the need for the government to address the legitimate concerns of teachers. The council's appeal to President Mahama and other stakeholders highlights the urgency of resolving the dispute.
The NC-PTAS's statement concluded that the welfare of teachers was crucial to the development of Ghana. The council reiterated its commitment to supporting teachers and urged the government to prioritize their welfare. By doing so, the country could ensure a brighter future for its citizens.
Key points
- The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations supports pre-tertiary teacher unions on strike in Ghana.
- The council cites legitimate demands, including delayed promotions and unpaid arrears.
- The NC-PTAS urges President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and resolve the dispute.
