body-container-line-1
19.12.2014 General News

T-Poly POTAG Goes Wild

By Daily Guide
T-Poly POTAG Goes Wild
19.12.2014 LISTEN

Some members of T'Poly POTAG
Tension is mounting at the Takoradi Polytechnic (T-Poly) as lecturers are planning to embark on a strike over the non-payment of their book and research allowance.

News broke that members of the T-Poly chapter of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) have decided to take an action which could result in the disruption of some academic related activities on campus.

According to sources, the lecturers' intended action was due to the delay in payment of their annual book and research allowance.

It would be recalled that on December 3 this year, government directed that an amount of GHc30 million be used to pay book and research allowance to polytechnic and university lecturers.

Subsequently, finance officers from the various polytechnics were invited to Accra to collect cheques of the requisite value to pay the allowance.

Surprisingly, the finance officer of Takoradi Polytechnic received no such cheque because he was told there was no money.

The POTAG members had indicated that they relied on the allowance to carryout research, acquire up-to-date books, teaching and other learning materials to update their knowledge and enhance their teaching skills.

“It is rather sad and ironical that though the nation seeks quality education for citizens, government neglects the very people who ensure we achieve this goal,” they lamented.

The T-Poly POTAG members therefore appealed to the government and the Ministry of Finance to as a matter of urgency expedite action on the payment of their allowance.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Michael Appiah, President of T-Poly POTAG, revealed that eight polytechnics had so far been paid the said allowance.

“Takoradi and Ho Polytechnic POTAG have no idea why the allowance has not been paid to members,” he said.

He urged government to fulfil its obligation by paying the members their legitimately earned book and research allowance.

“We wish to state that POTAG would have no choice but to undertake appropriate action which could result in the disruption of some academic related activities. This is to enforce our right to the allowance if payment is not sanctioned immediately,” he threatened.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

body-container-line