Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-03-28 04:37:00
Negotiations between the three teacher unions and the government to resolve the ongoing strike by teachers have once again hit a snag. The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations in Accra, lasted about an hour but did not achieve the desired result. The teachers left the meeting without revealing any information about what transpired behind closed doors.
The meeting was attended by the leadership of the three unions – the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT). Also present were the Ministers of Employment and Labour Relations and Education, and officials from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
Earlier in the week, the National Labour Commission directed the teacher unions to call off the strike and return to the negotiating table for a resolution. Despite this directive, the teacher unions have refused to comply, stating that they need to go through certain procedures, including consulting their respective councils, before calling off the strike.
Professor Charles Adabo Oppong, Director of Grievances and Negotiations at the FWSC, expressed disappointment at the teacher unions’ decision not to call off the strike. He emphasized that the government remains committed to addressing the teachers’ concerns, with 10 out of the 16 issues already resolved.
The teacher unions declared a nationwide strike on March 20, 2024, demanding improved conditions of service. Their concerns include the government’s failure to provide laptops to some members, the reinstatement of salaries for teachers blocked by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the establishment of terms of service.
The strike has had a significant impact on students at the pre-tertiary level, with final year students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination being particularly affected.
In light of the ongoing strike and the stalemate in negotiations, the government has expressed readiness to continue engaging with the teacher unions once they comply with the National Labour Commission’s directive to call off the strike. Despite the challenges faced in reaching a resolution, both sides remain committed to finding a solution that addresses the concerns of teachers and minimizes the disruption to the education system.
In conclusion, the impasse in negotiations underscores the need for constructive dialogue and collaboration between the government and the teacher unions to ensure a sustainable resolution that benefits all parties involved. Students, who are the most affected by the strike, deserve a timely and effective resolution to the ongoing dispute.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
