The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has disclosed that Colleges of Education will remain open despite the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
This decision comes alongside the withholding of July salaries for striking tutors, a move defended by GTEC Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai.
In a recent interview with TV3, Professor Jinapor highlighted CETAG’s alleged refusal to engage in dialogue with the government to address their concerns.
“Logically, if you don’t come to work you cannot be paid,” he stated, questioning the fairness of paying CETAG Members while students are deprived of their education.
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He further assured the public that the colleges will remain operational despite the strike.
“I can tell you on authority that the schools will not be shut down,” he affirmed, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring continued education for the trainees.
Professor Jinapor also criticized CETAG’s lack of engagement with the government, stating that they have repeatedly refused to meet for negotiations.
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He outlined the progress made in addressing the teachers’ demands, including the ongoing migration of teachers onto the scheme of service of their affiliate institutions, budgetary allocations for their requests, and the formation of a committee to oversee the implementation of solutions.
“Migration is taking place unabated, there is budgetary provision, a committee has been constituted and is supposed to take and kick off on Monday. Their all-year-round allowance which is supposed to be paid has been processed on GIFMIS. They can find out from their respective principals and heads of institutions and finance directors,” he assured, emphasizing the unified approach to addressing the concerns.
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Professor Jinapor urged CETAG members to return to work, assuring them that their concerns are being addressed and that their all-year-round allowance has been processed.
He also confirmed that data for their book and research top-up allowance has been received and is currently being processed.