The Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) has issued a fervent plea to the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to call off their ongoing strike action and return to the classroom by Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
In a letter addressed to CETAG National President Mr. Obeng-Himah on August 5, 2024, PRINCOF acknowledged the concerns raised by CETAG regarding the delayed implementation of their NLC arbitration awards, including the migration of staff onto the universities’ payroll structure, the payment of their All-Year-Round Allowance for 2022, and their Book and Research Top-Up Allowances.
However, PRINCOF emphasized that CETAG resuming academic work will facilitate a swifter resolution of these issues.
“…we are of the view that your return to the lecture rooms will pave way for a speedy resolution of the issues,” PRINCOF stated.
PRINCOF also revealed that their appeal is rooted in the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between CETAG and the government on July 24, 2024.
This agreement outlines a clear roadmap for implementing the NLC awards.
“We are making this appeal based on the fact that CETAG and Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 with a clear roadmap for the implementation of the NLC arbitrary awards which were the reasons for the CETAG strike”
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PRINCOF believes that the signed Memorandum of Agreement demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing CETAG’s concerns.
“We are of the view that CETAG should demonstrate its commitment to the MoA that it signed and return to the classroom. Your continuous stay on strike will further disrupt the academic calendar which can have repercussions for academic work,” PRINCOF posited
To bolster its appeal, PRINCOF detailed the progress the government had already made in implementing the NLC awards;
- The Book and Research Top-Up Allowance has been paid by CAGD to Colleges of Education through GIFMIS and is expected to reach CETAG members’ accounts by August 9, 2024, as per the MoA.
- Data validated by Principals for the All-Year-Round Allowance has been submitted to GTEC for onward transmission to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for payment.
- The migration of staff from the Colleges of Education salary structure to the Universities salary structure by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) began on July 29, 2024, and is expected to be completed within four weeks.
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PRINCOF also reiterated that they are committed to supporting CETAG members by facilitating the payment of their frozen July 2024 salary for those who return to the classroom by August 6, 2024.
“We wish to reiterate that PRINCOF has your welfare at heart and will continue to work for your benefit. However, you need to return to the lecture halls to allow for fruitful engagement and speedy resolution of the issues, including the frozen July 2024 salary”
“PRINCOF stands ready to facilitate on behalf of CETAG members who return to the classroom by Tuesday, August 6, 2024 for their July salary to be paid. Your cooperation in this matter will go a long way in demonstrating our shared dedication and commitment to teacher education and the well-being of our students,” PRINCOF added.
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Below is the Letter by PRINCOF
