Colleges of Education in Ghana on the Brink of Disruption as CETAG Schedule Date For Strike over Delayed Conditions of Service Implementation
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has issued a stern warning to the Ghanaian government, expressing their intention to embark on a strike if the negotiated conditions of service are not implemented promptly. The strike, scheduled to commence on August 1, 2023, will affect all 46 public colleges of education in the country.
The main bone of contention is the government’s prolonged delay in finalizing the new Conditions of Service (CoS) for the teachers. Despite negotiations that have been ongoing since August 2021, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), representing the employers, has deliberately extended the process, causing considerable frustration among CETAG members.
In response to the prolonged negotiations, CETAG initiated a strike in January 2023, prompting the National Labour Commission (NLC) to intervene and enforce compulsory arbitration. The NLC’s subsequent Arbitral Award Order, issued on May 2, 2023, mandated the implementation of a new CoS for CETAG members, effective from January 1, 2023.
However, despite the signed agreement and submission to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) through the FWSC on May 26, the MoF has failed to act on the negotiated agreement and the NLC’s Arbitral Award Order. This delay has left CETAG members in a vulnerable position, struggling to make ends meet with outdated CoS, particularly in the face of challenging economic conditions in Ghana.
Apart from the demands for the implementation of negotiated allowances and compensation, CETAG has also raised concerns regarding the adverse effects of the all-year-round academic calendar in public colleges of education. The sustained academic workload has taken a toll on tutors, prompting CETAG to advocate for the adoption of an in-out-out-in system. This system would allow all cohorts of students to remain in school and complete the academic year together, enabling tutors to take inter-semester breaks.
CETAG’s leadership is urging all stakeholders to acknowledge the pressing concerns highlighted by the association and take immediate action to address the issues at hand. Failure to address these concerns promptly may result in a disruptive strike, significantly impacting the operation of colleges of education and the students they serve.
It is imperative for the government to recognize the crucial role that teachers play in shaping the future of Ghana’s education system. Resolving these issues in a timely manner will not only ensure the welfare of teachers but also maintain stability and quality in the country’s colleges of education.
