The Teacher Unions in Ghana have issued an ultimatum to the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Education, and all relevant stakeholders, demanding immediate action on a series of unresolved issues that have left the teaching profession in a state of turmoil.
The Teacher Unions highlighted the growing dissatisfaction and agitation among teachers across the country. The unions expressed their frustration with the government’s perceived indifference to the directives issued by the National Labour Commission (NLC) and the slow pace at which it has addressed the grievances of teachers.
This situation, according to the unions, has led to a significant level of unrest and discontent at the grassroots level, with teachers becoming increasingly disillusioned with the lack of progress.
“If by the close of Monday, September 16, 2024 we do not receive any favorable response, we shall determine the next line of action.”
Teacher Unions
The Teacher Unions outlined several key issues that have contributed to the current state of discontent among educators. Central to their demands is the full implementation of the promises made in the Collective Agreement (CA) signed on May 24, 2024.
The unions pointed out that despite the agreement being in place for several months, the government has yet to fulfill its commitments.
The unions emphasized that one month after the signing of the CA, the Minister for Education was supposed to initiate negotiations with the Teacher Unions regarding the Deprived Area Allowance. However, to date, there has been no meaningful progress on this front, leaving teachers in deprived areas feeling neglected and underappreciated.
The unions are also deeply concerned about the delays in the promotion process within the Ghana Education Service (GES). Specifically, they pointed out that promotions from Deputy Director (DD) to Director II (DII) and then to Director I (DI) were supposed to be resolved by September 2024. With the deadline fast approaching, teachers are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency and action on this matter.
Another significant issue raised by the unions is the disparity in salary levels among teachers, particularly those at the DD level and below. The unions called on the GES to work closely with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to address these disparities, as the current situation is causing financial strain and dissatisfaction among educators.
The unions also demanded the government to honor its promise to deliver TM1 laptops to all teachers whose money was deducted for this purpose. Originally scheduled for distribution by August 31, 2024, the delay in delivering these laptops has added to the growing sense of frustration among teachers, who view this as yet another broken promise.
The unions further highlighted the issue of the 12-month arrears of Tier-2 pension deductions, which have yet to be paid to teachers. This delay, they argue, is unacceptable and has exacerbated the financial challenges faced by many educators, particularly those nearing retirement.
The Teacher Unions also expressed concerns about the activities of the Public Services Commission (PSC), which they claim have historically caused significant problems within the GES.
Despite warnings from the unions, the PSC has continued to engage in practices that have led to delays in upgrading teachers, difficulties in reinstatement, and even reductions in rank. The unions fear that these issues, if left unaddressed, could severely undermine the morale and professional growth of teachers across the country.
The Teacher Unions made it clear that the current situation is untenable and requires immediate intervention from the government.
The Teacher Unions’ ultimatum reflected the growing frustration among educators who feel that their concerns have been consistently overlooked by the government.
