The Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has called for the immediate closure of all 46 public Colleges of Education across the country, citing the ongoing industrial strike action by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) as a major cause for concern.
In a letter addressed to the President of the National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, the TTAG highlighted the detrimental effects of the strike, which has now entered its eighth week.
The association stated that the strike has resulted in a complete standstill of academic activities, leaving teacher trainees in a state of limbo.
SEE ALSO: CETAG Strike: GTEC Rejects Calls to Shut Down Colleges of Education
The TTAG also expressed deep concern about the safety of trainees on campuses, especially with the withdrawal of services by CETAG, and the growing financial burden on trainees, parents, and guardians.
According to TTAG, a recent study they conducted revealed that approximately 80% of teacher trainees have already left their colleges due to the prolonged strike.
The TTAG has proposed several recommendations to address the situation, including:
• Closure of Colleges:
Immediate closure of all colleges by Monday, August 12, 2024, to allow trainees to return home and alleviate financial strain and security concerns.
• Review of Assessment Schedules:
Collaboration between the National Conference of Principals and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to review the assessment schedules for trainees and potentially postpone all examinations for the current semester.
SEE ALSO: CETAG Outlines ‘Demands’ for Ending Strike After Rejecting Memorandum of Agreement
• Annulment of Semester:
Annulment of the current academic semester to allow trainees to adequately prepare, both financially and psychologically, for their studies.
The TTAG has urged the government and all relevant stakeholders to prioritize the resolution of the strike and ensure the completion of the teacher trainees’ programmes of study without further delay.
