The Ministry of Education has asked striking National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to return to the classroom.
According to them, the government has released almost 50 million Ghana Cedis to clear their arrears and other allowances owed them by the government.
Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' program, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Vincent Ekow Assafuah explained that they have appealed to the striking teacher unions to as a matter of principle return to the classroom and meet with the various labour groups to thrash out their differences.
"I am surprised NAGRAT is refusing to adhere to our appeal because the government is working hard to mitigate their demands," he said.
"They are acting in bad faith for refusing to return to the classroom."
"Nonetheless, we are appealing to them to respect the plea from the Education Ministry and go back to the classroom whilst their issues are resolved amicably," he added.
Last Thursday, NAGRAT declared an indefinite strike action over what it called, “untold pressure and hardship on teachers following the introduction of the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS)”.
“We have complained about the system, to no avail. Now teachers have also begun working long hours. We are calling on all teachers to lay down their tools and stay out of their schools until further notice,” it declared at a press conference addressed by its President.
The President of NAGRAT, Mr. Angel Carbonu, addressing the press conference, said the acquisition of the HRMIS by the PSC had created a lot of setbacks and was affecting the work of teachers across Ghana.
The NAGRAT executives, on behalf of their members, also complained about outstanding salary arrears, delays in promotion, the payment of additional responsibility allowance and teachers’ inability to seek a transfer as other issues affecting teachers and for which they had called the strike.
Watch Interview below
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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Guess the teachers took this action at a time the students are in school to ensure government's speedy response to their demands. While they may have a legitimate concern, it is also important that the teachers recognise the impact of their action on many of the students who are already weak due to the mass admission. I will appeal to them to commence work while the government makes the effort to address any outstanding debt or still continue to talk to the government.
DEAR GOOD TEACHERS JUST BE AWARE OF BAD WOLVES IN YOUR MIDST. THEIR ONLY INTEREST IS TO SABOTAGE THE FREE SHS AND GHANA EDUCATION. THINK ABOUT THE WELFARE OF MILLIONS OF CHILDREN WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY YOUR WRONG ACTION AND THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY AFFECT MANY INCLUDING SOME OF YOU. YOUR BAD DECISIONS MAY AFFECT SOME CHILDREN TO BECOME SOCIAL DEVIANTS AND CRIMINALS. YES, EVERY LABOURER DESERVES A GOOD PAY BUT WE NEED TO BE SINCERE IN DEMANDING FOR ADEQUATE REMUNERATION. YOU MUST REMEMBERS THAT APART FROM ROBBERS AND CRIMINALS, NOBODY IS ADEQUATELY REMUNERATED IN GHANA FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE, MAISON, DRIVER, WATCHMAN, POLICE, FARMER AND HARD WORKING GENUINE PRIESTS. JUST BE REASONABLE IN YOUR DEMANDS AND ACTIONS.