Teacher trainees to embark on a demonstration amid CETAG strike
The Teacher Trainees Associaton of Ghana (TTAG) says will embark on a peaceful march nationwide should the industrial strike action by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG) remain unresolved in the coming days.
This the Trainees Association in a statement said is because despite the numerous meetings and appeals there has been no progress towards resolving the strike action and addressing pressing issues faced by teacher trainees.
It also said the upcoming demonstration is to register displeasure over the continuous academic stalemate in all forty-six (46) public Colleges of Education that have left students stranded with great uncertainties about the future of their education.
“The continuous strike poses security and safety threats to all students in the Colleges of Education causing serious catastrophes among students across various campuses
Furthermore, the prolonged uncertainty regarding the academic calendar places an undue financial burden on level 400 students who have committed to rental agreements,” the leadership of the Association said in the statement.
TTAG continued that “we urge all Teacher Trainees to take this notice seriously and make the necessary arrangements to embark on a nationwide protest should the CETAG strike action persist with no clear resolutions.
We also call on the government and Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG) to take immediate and decisive action to resolve this strike action and address the critical issues affecting Teacher Education in Ghana.”
Meanwhile, the Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has assured TTAG that he is committed to fulfilling CETAG’s demands, provided they demonstrate good faith and cooperate with the central government.
At a meeting with the leadership of the Teacher Trainees Association, the Education Minister acknowledged the poor state of buses in Colleges of Education and pledged his attention to acquiring buses to improve transportation services.
Dr Adutwum confirmed that the previous contract for abandoned and uncompleted infrastructure projects has been terminated and new contracts would be awarded. Progress on these projects will be made as quickly as possible.
The Minister in Charge of Education highlighted his commitment to transforming the education sector, with a specific focus on enhancing Colleges of Education.
Dr Osei Yaw envisions creating a 21st-century learning environment within the government Colleges of Education and investing in student teachers to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective teaching.