The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu has given firm assurances that government will resolve the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike in the coming hours and days.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Iddrisu said he would personally engage to bring the industrial action to an end.
“To go and resolve the strike, and that I would do in the next few hours and days, will get the teachers back to work. So to the media, be assured,” he stated.
The Minister emphasised that an earlier pledge regarding payments would be kept.
“I gave my word that the Controller and Accountant General will do a supplementary salary arrangement by 16th October. That will be on it in observance and not in breach,” he said.
“As is the assurance of compiling a supplementary salary arrangement by October 16 will be honored. Listen to the minister.”
Mr Iddrisu also noted that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission was continuing engagement with the striking teachers that morning.
He appealed once more to the unions to protect the academic calendar.
“Fair Wages and Salaries Commission this morning will continue engagement with the striking teachers. I can only plead with them once again to keep the calendar safe and sound,” he said.
The remarks come amid an industrial action by pre-tertiary teacher unions that has disrupted teaching and learning across the country.
The unions have raised concerns including unpaid promotion-related arrears affecting tens of thousands of teachers, delays in concluding a new collective agreement, and the implementation of a deprived-area allowance.
Government has previously directed the Ghana Education Service and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to validate records of promoted teachers, with targets set for placing large numbers on their new salary grades and processing related payments.
Officials have indicated that validated data would enable supplementary payments, with broader adjustments targeted for the end of October.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
