The Leadership of the teacher unions are expected to resume negotiations with the government on Tuesday July 12, 2022 over their demand for the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
Other groups such as the leadership of the Ghana Medical Association among other labour groups will join in the negotiation as well.
The leadership of the teacher unions held their first meeting with the government last Friday July 8, 2022 to resolve issues bothering on the nation-wide strike but it ended inconclusive.
Teacher Unions on strike
Four teacher unions on Monday July 4, 2022 declared a strike in demand of payment of 20% Cost of Living Allowance.
It comes after NAGRAT indicated their decision to commence strike if the government does not act on their demand for Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) by end of June 2022.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to close down all public basic schools if government fails to address concerns of striking teachers within three days.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament Deputy Ranking Member for Committee on Education, Dr. Clement Apaak charged government to immediately address the concerns of the teachers.
“As we speak today close to seven million students from kindergarten through primary school to junior high school and secondary schools are currently not benefiting from teaching and learning. Clearly, this is as the result of the government’s inability to meet its obligation and be proactive in addressing the needs and demands of labour unions including the teachers.
“We have seen a circular from the Ghana Education Service directing managers of schools to take control of safety and security of students. Clearly, that cannot be enough if you consider that one head teacher alone cannot take care and secure the safety of an entire school,” Builsa South MP disclosed.
“So we want to urge the government to immediately address the concerns of teachers. So that they can go back to the classrooms without further delay. If this goes on within two to three days it will be advisable for the GES to direct that the schools are closed down for the safety and security of the students.”
The Deputy Ranking Member further stated that despite the call by the Minority side, it is incumbent on the government to address the needs of the teachers.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
