CETAG strike: The academic calendar is in its danger zone.

The Looming Threat of a Disrupted Academic Calendar, Understanding the Implications of the Prolonged CETAG Strike.

The ongoing CETAG strike has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the academic community, leaving students, lecturers, and institutions alike wondering what the future holds for the current academic calendar. As the strike enters its third week, concerns are escalating that a prolonged industrial action could lead to a significant disruption in the academic calendar, jeopardizing the very fabric of Ghana's tertiary education system.

The Ghanaian Constitution unequivocally guarantees every student the right to quality education (Article 25), a fundamental right that is being threatened by the ongoing strike. The strike has already caused a significant disruption in academic activities, and if it exceeds one month, the consequences will be far-reaching and devastating.

The academic calendar is meticulously planned to ensure that students receive a certain amount of instruction and assessment within a specific timeframe. A prolonged strike would severely compromise this timeframe, leading to a range of issues that would have a profound impact on students, lecturers, and the wider academic community.

For students, a disrupted academic calendar would mean delayed graduation dates, disrupted assessment schedules, and an inability to complete coursework and projects. This would not only affect their academic progress but also impact their future career prospects and opportunities. Student mobility and exchange programs would also be severely impacted, denying students the opportunity to engage in cultural and academic exchanges that are essential for their personal and professional growth.

Lecturers would also bear the brunt of a prolonged strike. They would be unable to complete their teaching and research obligations, leading to delayed research projects, an inability to publish research findings, and a significant impact on their career advancement and promotion. This would not only affect their professional growth but also deny them the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.

The laws governing the academic calendar in Ghana are clear and unequivocal. According to the Tertiary Education Policy (2019), the academic calendar is expected to run for a minimum of 30 weeks (Section 3.2). Any disruption to this calendar could lead to a range of legal issues, including breach of contract between students and institutions, inability to meet accreditation standards, and legal action by students and lecturers against institutions.

The ongoing CETAG strike has the potential to significantly disrupt the academic calendar, leading to a range of consequences that would have a profound impact on students, lecturers, and the wider academic community. If the strike continues, it could lead to delayed graduation dates, disrupted assessment schedules, and an inability to complete coursework and projects. This would not only affect students' academic progress but also impact their future career prospects and opportunities. Lecturers would also bear the brunt of a prolonged strike, with delayed research projects, inability to publish research findings, and a significant impact on their career advancement and promotion. It is imperative that a resolution is found soon to avoid a prolonged strike and ensure that the academic calendar remains intact. The future of Ghana's tertiary education system depends on it. 

Always stay tuned with Gh Edu Pro for more updates on this developing story, as we bring you the latest news and information on the CETAG strike and its impact on the academic community.

Source: GH Edu Pro