JHS 3 Students Voice Concerns Over Teacher Strike Amid Approaching BECE
As the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) draws near, Junior High School (JHS) 3 students are expressing apprehension over the ongoing strike by their teachers. The strike, declared by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH), has left students worried about their preparation for the crucial exams.
The strike was initiated on March 20, with the teacher unions citing unsatisfactory conditions of service and the government’s failure to renew the collective agreement as key reasons for their action. Despite efforts to engage the government in negotiations, the unions have resorted to industrial action as a last resort.
Students, caught in the middle of the standoff between their teachers and the government, are feeling the impact of the strike on their academic prospects. Samuel, a third-year student at St. Paul RC Basic School in Accra, emphasized the crucial role teachers play in their exam preparation. Without their guidance, students fear they may not be adequately prepared for the upcoming BECE.
To cope with the situation, some students have formed study groups and are attempting to continue learning on their own. However, the absence of regular classroom instruction has created challenges, with schools closing earlier than usual and students advised to study independently.
With the BECE approaching, students are calling on the government to urgently address the concerns raised by their teachers to ensure a swift resolution to the strike. They emphasize the importance of uninterrupted teaching and learning to prevent mass exam failures and safeguard their academic future.
