Government treating teachers’ concerns like “football” – PRETAG Vice President
The Vice President of the Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG), Adokwei Ayikwei Awulley, has accused the government of treating key concerns raised by teachers as “football” that is repeatedly passed around without resolution.
Speaking at a meeting between the teacher unions and the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, on Monday, September 28, Mr. Awulley said the continued uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance was particularly worrying, despite repeated assurances from government officials.
“But it seems it has become more or less a football. We throw it here, and then we throw it here. And it is always a topic when the Minister or His Excellency the President mentions it. But at the end of the day, we don’t see the way forward,” he said.
Mr. Awulley also raised concerns over the placement of teachers who have been promoted to their appropriate ranks, as well as the payment of their corresponding arrears.
He further pointed to the expiration of the teachers’ collective agreement in June, noting that negotiations for a new agreement remain unresolved, even as some allowances under the existing arrangement were due for payment in September.
The concerns form part of the issues that prompted PRETAG, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to declare a nationwide strike from September 25.
The unions are demanding action on promotion arrears, negotiations for a new collective agreement and the implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance.
The September 28 meeting with the Education Ministry was aimed at resolving the outstanding issues that triggered the industrial action.
However, the striking teacher unions have rejected calls to return to the classroom after the meeting, insisting they will sustain the strike until the government takes concrete steps to address their demands.
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