Teacher trainees across Ghana are facing an extended academic year due to the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
The strike, which began on June 14th, 2024, has left students stranded and uncertain about their future.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG), 80% of students have already returned home, with many demanding the temporary closure of colleges until the dispute between CETAG and the government is resolved.
The original academic calendar for the 2023/2024 academic year (Second Semester) was set to conclude on September 7th, 2024, with students resuming the new academic year (2024/2025) on October 7th.
SEE ALSO: CETAG Outlines ‘Demands’ for Ending Strike After Rejecting Memorandum of Agreement
However, the strike has thrown the academic year into disarray.
If efforts are not put in place, trainees may begin their second semester academic activities (2023/2024) as late as October, which was originally designated as the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year.
This situation implies that trainees will experience three semesters within a single academic year.
SEE ALSO: CETAG Strike: Teacher Trainees Demand Closure of Colleges
CETAG’s demands for their industrial action center around the full implementation of the National Labour Commission (NLC) Arbitration Awards.
The government, according to a ‘signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)’, has pledged to implement all the awards by the end of August/September.
However, CETAG insists on seeing the implementation before calling off the strike.
Therefore, the strike is still in effect with no end in sight.
SEE ALSO: Reasons Why CETAG Is Refusing to Call Off Its Industrial Action Despite the Signed MoA
The admissions process for the new 2024/2025 academic year will also be delayed due to the industrial action.
The hope is that the government and CETAG will swiftly resolve their differences, allowing colleges of education to resume academic activities soon.