GTEC Urges Colleges of Education Teachers to End Strike Immediately
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has asked teachers at the Colleges of Education who are currently on strike to return to work while efforts are made to resolve their concerns.
An emergency meeting was held with representatives from key organizations such as the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), the Ministry of Finance, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, and the leadership of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
During the meeting, GTEC’s Director-General, Prof. Abdulai Jinapor, stated that the main issue regarding the migration of teachers’ salaries to the same structure as university lecturers had been addressed.
CETAG declared an indefinite strike after the government failed to fulfill a key agreement. This agreement, made during the National Labour Commission’s Compulsory Arbitration, required the government to migrate College of Education teaching staff to the pay structure of their affiliated universities. After 20 months, this process has still not been completed.
In addition, CETAG mentioned that the government delayed paying one month’s basic salary as compensation for the extra work staff did in 2022. This payment is yet to reach the 42 Colleges of Education.
GTEC’s Position
Prof. Jinapor criticized the timing of the strike, describing it as “extremely unfortunate.” He explained, “For us as a commission, we think the timing of the strike is wrong and not productive. Some may even see it as blackmail, considering the significant efforts made by GTEC and other stakeholders to address these issues.”
He also mentioned that GTEC has worked hard to facilitate the migration process, even during vacation periods. “The Controller and Accountant General’s Department and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission have been involved, spending months on the process at a high cost borne by GTEC,” he added.
Prof. Jinapor further warned that the strike could lead to a complete shutdown of the Colleges of Education. He expressed concern that the strike was happening at a time when admissions were ongoing. “If you withdraw all services, you can’t do admissions. Faculty and departmental heads play a key role in guiding students during admissions, and their absence makes it extremely problematic,” he emphasized.
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| Prof. Jinapor |
CETAG’s Response
CETAG’s President, Maxwell Bunu, acknowledged that the meeting with GTEC was productive. “GTEC has demonstrated sufficient commitment in resolving CETAG’s issues, especially the migration process,” he said. However, he explained that CETAG would need to consult its council before making a final decision on whether to end the strike.
He concluded by stating, “We have observed GTEC’s efforts, and we will report back to our council to decide on the next steps.”
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The ongoing strike by CETAG has affected 46 Colleges of Education across the country. While GTEC is urging the teachers to return to work to prevent further disruptions, CETAG has yet to decide its next course of action.
The situation remains critical, especially as it coincides with the admissions process for new students. Both parties must act quickly to ensure that teaching and learning activities resume without delay.
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SOURCE: 3NEWS
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