MoE gives directive on pre-tertiary education teacher unions strike

Following the nationwide industrial action declared by teacher unions in the pre-tertiary education sector, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued a directive to heads of public kindergarten, Junior and Senior High Schools across the country.

In a statement shared with Thisterm.com, the Ministry said Regional and District Directors of Education are to inform the school heads to mobilise their management teams to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in school.

“Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has read from the media that the three (3) Teacher Unions in the Pre-Tertiary Education sector have declared withdrawal of their services effective Wednesday 20th March, 2024.

Heads of public Kindergarten and Primary Schools as well as Junior and Senior High Schools have been directed through the Regional and District Directors to mobilise their Management teams to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in schools.

Meanwhile, parents are advised to remain calm and be assured that Management is closely monitoring the situation and will advise on the way forward accordingly.

Regional and District Directors have further been directed to ensure that Heads keep schools opened and closely supervise all children who report to school pending further directives from Management of GES,” it said in the release.

Three teacher unions Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) declared the strike effective Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

The teaching and non-teaching staff of the three teacher union’s withdrawal of services is to express their displeasure over the central government’s negligence in addressing their conditions of service.

Key grievances highlighted include the ongoing withholding of teachers’ salaries, unilateral changes to timetables without consulting the unions, and delays in the distribution of laptops to teachers.

“The distribution of laptops to all teachers is of concern. The rampant changes in the school calendar without recourse to negotiation with the teacher unions are affecting the smooth operation of the service.

Also, the blockage of teachers salaries by the Office of the Special Prosecutor without recourse to the laid down procedures is a major worry,” the National President of GNAT, Isaac Owusu told journalists.