Pre-tertiary teachers’ strike: We have taken teachers for granted for too long

The Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies (IFEST), Dr Peter Partey-Anti, has backed calls for the government to pay outstanding promotion-related arrears to striking teachers before they return to the classroom.

The strike was declared on September 25, by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG).

The unions are demanding the placement of promoted teachers on their appropriate salary scales and payment of outstanding arrears, the conclusion of negotiations on a new collective agreement, and the implementation of a 20 per cent Deprived Area Allowance for teachers serving in underserved communities.

The unions have insisted that teachers will not return to the classroom until concrete steps are taken to address their concerns.

Reacting to this on Accra-based TV3's Ghana Tonight Show on Thursday, October 8, the education advocate said teachers had been taken for granted for too long.

He stated that the government must fulfil its commitments instead of putting pressure on the unions to suspend their industrial action.

“I think we have taken teachers for granted for too long, and that is why I’m taking this position on this matter,” he said.

He asserted that repeated appeals to teachers to return to the classroom without resolving their grievances had failed to address the underlying problems, leaving room for delays and unfulfilled commitments.

Dr. Partey-Anti also commended Deputy Education Minister Dr Clement Apaak for adopting what he described as a mature approach by pleading with the striking teachers to return to the classroom.

However, he said the government must go beyond assurances and ensure that the commitments made to teachers are fulfilled.

“If the teachers are paid today and their collective agreement is signed tomorrow, they will not have anything to hold on to,” he stated.