Parents in the Kadjebi District of Ghana's Oti Region are calling on the government and striking teacher unions to urgently resolve their differences and reopen public schools. The strike, which began on September 25, 2026, has resulted in significant disruptions to the academic calendar, with parents expressing concern about the impact on their children's education. According to Mr. George Dorhame, a parent from Tadzewu Kpodzi, each day his children remain at home represents a missed lesson and uncertainty about their academic future.
The parents acknowledge that teachers have legitimate concerns regarding improved working conditions, but they emphasize that the continued closure of schools is placing an increasing burden on families and could undermine learners' academic progress. Mr. Dorhame noted that children are losing instructional time, which cannot easily be recovered. He appealed to the government and teacher unions to return to the negotiation table and settle outstanding issues in the interest of learners.
The strike by the three teacher unions – the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, Ghana (CCT-Ghana) – is over demands for payment of salary arrears, payment of the 20 percent deprived-area teacher allowance, and the renewal of their Collective Agreement. Parents are worried that the prolonged interruption of academic work could put pressure on teachers and learners when schools eventually reopen.
Parents with children preparing for important examinations are particularly concerned about the situation. Ms. Dzifa Dzomeku, a parent whose daughter is in senior high school, urged the parties to demonstrate commitment to dialogue and reach an agreement that would enable teachers to return to the classrooms. She emphasized that learners should not bear the consequences of disagreements between their teachers and the government.
Mr. Frank Agyemang, a parent at Kadjebi Central, expressed concern about the uncertainty the strike has brought to families, as parents cannot predict when normal teaching and learning will resume. He appealed to the government to treat the matter as urgent and engage the unions continuously until an agreement is reached. The parents called for a speedy resolution of the dispute, prioritizing dialogue and the uninterrupted education of children.
The impact of the strike is being felt by families, who have invested time and resources in their children's education and cannot afford prolonged disruption to the academic calendar. Parents are urging both sides to prioritize the needs of learners and find a lasting solution to the impasse. The government and teacher unions are yet to reach an agreement, leaving the fate of the academic calendar uncertain.
As the strike continues, parents are holding out hope that a resolution will be reached soon. The Ghana News Agency reported that the Volta region teacher unions have also backed the nationwide strike. The situation remains a pressing concern for parents, who are eager for their children to return to the classroom and continue their education without further disruption.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government and teacher unions must urgently resolve their differences to prevent further disruption to the academic calendar.
- Parents are concerned about the impact of the strike on their children's education, particularly those preparing for important examinations.
- The strike is over demands for payment of salary arrears, payment of the 20 percent deprived-area teacher allowance, and the renewal of the teacher unions' Collective Agreement.
