In response to the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), the Parliament of Ghana has summoned the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to appear before the house on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024.
The Minister has been called upon to answer questions regarding the industrial action taken by CETAG.
During a recent session of Parliament, Mr. Asiamah Amoako-Atta highlighted that the minister was already scheduled to address the house on Tuesday.
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He emphasized the importance of the Minister using this opportunity to speak on the issue at hand.
“From today’s business statement for next week, the Minister is scheduled to be in the house to answer some questions. Therefore, let us inform the Minister to come and address us on this particular issue with respect to the colleges of education lecturers’ strike. That is my directive,” Amoako-Atta stated.
Other members of Parliament also expressed their concerns and stressed the need for urgent resolutions.
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They highlighted the impact of the strike on the academic calendar and emphasized the importance of addressing the issue promptly.
“I am speaking to support this because we have worked hard to bring the calendar back to normalcy, starting from the COVID-19 outbreak all the way up to this point. Now the schools can have a regular and predictable timetable. However, with the current situation of teachers at the colleges of Education being on strike, it means that it’s going to disrupt the calendar. Therefore, addressing this issue urgently is crucial, and I fully support the suggestion that the minister briefs the house on preparations for responding to the situation,” noted one Member of Parliament.
Another MP, referencing past strikes, added, “Mr. Speaker, this CETAG strike is becoming perennial. Each year, we are experiencing it. Last year, the education committee had to intervene for the teachers to call off the strike, with the promise that their grievances would be resolved. One year on, that hasn’t been done. It is becoming morally difficult for the committee to intervene again.”
CETAG has been on strike for the past three weeks, demanding the government’s implementation of their conditions of service.
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They have declared that they will not return to the classrooms until their grievances are addressed.
The Parliament’s decision to summon the Minister of Education signals the seriousness of the situation and the pressure mounting on the government to find a solution to the ongoing strike.
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Coleman Publications will continue to monitor the situation and provide any updates deemed necessary to our cherished readers.