The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the Controller and Accountant General’s Department to stop the July 2024 salaries of all teaching staff of Colleges of Education who are members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
This directive, contained in a letter signed by Nicholas Ameyaw, Head of the Institutional Planning and Programme Development (IPPD) of GTEC, is a result of the failure of CETAG members to call off their strike which started in June 2024.
“The Minister of Education has instructed us to take this action due to the non-adherence of CETAG members to call off the illegal strike,” the letter stated.
According to the letter, College Principals have been instructed not to validate the July 2024 salaries of the affected staff.
“We count on your usual co-operation,” the letter concluded.
The striking Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) is yet to comment on the development
The strike by CETAG is over concerns about their conditions of service, including market premium, responsibility allowance, and research allowance.
Meanwhile, teacher trainees in Ghana’s 46 colleges of education are facing an unprecedented crisis as the strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) enters its fifth week, bringing all academic activities to a halt.
“We are in limbo, unsure whether to stay on campus or return home. Our academic progress is stalled, jeopardizing our future as qualified teachers. The financial burden is affecting our mental health and well-being,” the Coalition of Concerned Teacher Trainees, Ghana said in a statement.
The trainees are calling on the government, stakeholders, and all Ghanaians to help resolve the impasse, which has left them stranded and uncertain about their futures.
“Quality education requires quality teachers, and the future of Ghana depends on it. We urge the government to address the concerns of CETAG and get our tutors back to the classrooms,” the statement added.
Also,the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has served notice of a nationwide peaceful protest if the industrial strike action by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG) remains unresolved.
According to a statement signed by the General Secretary, Lala Victor, and President, Lahe Soale Razak, the protest is necessary due to the prolonged academic stalemate in all 46 public Colleges of Education, which has left students stranded and uncertain about their future.
“The continuous strike poses security and safety threats to all students in the Colleges of Education, causing serious catastrophe among students across various campuses,” the statement said.
