The protracted strike action by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), now in its second month, has triggered profound concerns among students and stakeholders alike.
In the latest development, the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) announced a complete withdrawal of all services with immediate effect.
This, the labor union noted is in reaction to a directive from the Minister for Education instructing the Principals of the 46 public colleges of education and the Controller and Accountant General not to validate the July 2024 salaries of the teaching staff.
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), in a statement, expressed deep anxiety over the escalating situation, particularly following recent developments that have further strained relations between the government and CETAG.
“It is now Day 40 of the CETAG strike, and the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) is deeply concerned about the escalating situation. NUGS has taken cognizance of the recent developments, including the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) release on the stoppage of July 2024 salaries for all teaching staff of the Colleges of Education at the instance of the Minister for Education on July 22, 2024. CETAG has retaliated by announcing the withdrawal of all services in the colleges effective July 23, 2024”.
Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel, 57th NUGS President
President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel underscored the union’s initial collaboration with the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), which has been actively engaged in seeking solutions to the dispute.
Mr Kyeremeh Oppong recounted that the union had initiated dialogues with key stakeholders weeks ago, securing assurances from the Minister for Education that efforts were being made to address the concerns of CETAG.
Despite these assurances, Mr Kyeremeh Oppong noted that the situation remains unresolved, causing significant distress among the student body, expressing his dismay at the unresolved situation and the recent withdrawal of all service by CETAG.
The Scourge of CETAG’s Strike
Mr Kyeremeh Oppong Danile pointed out that the implications of the prolonged strike are dire, asserting that the impasse between the labor union and the government has severely disrupted the academic calendar, with final exams indefinitely postponed, leaving students in a state of uncertainty and anxiety.
This disruption, he further noted not only hampers the educational progress of thousands of students but also poses long-term risks to their academic and professional futures.
In a fervent appeal, the President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel urged the government, CETAG, GTEC, and all involved parties to prioritize the welfare of students in their negotiations.
He emphasized that the education and future of students should be the paramount consideration in resolving this conflict.
“The risks involved in this continued stalemate are too significant to disregard. The education and future of students are at stake, and it is imperative that all parties prioritize the well-being and interests of the students. The academic progress of thousands of students hangs in the balance, and the longer this strike continues, the more detrimental its effects will be”.
Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel, 57th NUGS President
The President of the National Union of Ghanaian Students, Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel, in addition, underscored the union’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of students.
He assured students that NUGS would persist in its efforts to engage all relevant stakeholders to expedite a resolution to the strike.
“Our goal is to ensure that academic activities resume without further delay and that students can continue their education without additional disruption,” he stated.
The call from NUGS reflects a broader sentiment shared by many in the educational sector who recognize the critical importance of resolving this dispute swiftly and amicably.
In an earlier statement, the Coalition of Concerned Teacher Trainees, Ghana (CCTTG) called for immediate action to resolve the ongoing crisis affecting all Colleges of Education across the country stemming from the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana’s strike action.
The group pointed out that the strike, which began five weeks ago, has brought academic activities in the 46 Colleges of Education (CoEs) to a complete halt, leaving thousands of teacher trainees in turmoil.
It is without a shred of doubt that the academic and professional futures of thousands of students are at stake, and it is imperative that all parties involved in the negotiations come together to find a sustainable solution.
The country’s education sector, which is already facing numerous challenges, cannot afford the additional burden of unresolved labor disputes.
The stakes are too high, and the consequences too severe, to allow this impasse to persist, and it is therefore imperative that the government and CETAG rise above their differences and prioritize the future of Ghana’s students and address all issues that led to the strike action amicably.
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