The three major pre-tertiary teacher unions in Ghana, namely the National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), have jointly issued an ultimatum to the government.
The ultimatum demands a resolution to their long-standing issues by May 13, 2024.
One of the primary concerns raised by the unions pertains to the government’s negotiation strategies and their approach towards addressing critical matters such as deprived area allowances and adjustments to continuous development allowances.
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The lack of progress in these negotiations has sparked frustration among the teacher unions.
Addressing the media, Peter Boateng, the Regional Secretary of GNAT, emphasized the heightened tensions within the labor sector and stressed the urgent need for the government to take prompt action to prevent any potential disruptions.
He underscored the significance of prioritizing the welfare of teachers, especially in light of the significant contributions they make to the education sector.
Boateng stated, “We, as teacher unions, have our priorities which must be acknowledged and respected by the government. Our demands are aimed at securing the necessary support and allowances for our members, considering the deductions made from our salaries. It is essential for the government to prioritize the well-being of teachers and address the concerns raised by our unions.”
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The unions had initially presented a list of seventeen different allowances they were seeking, but in light of current economic challenges, they have scaled down their requests to four key allowances;
- The Deprived Area Allowance
- The Extra Assessment Allowance
- The Book/Data/Online Teaching Support Allowance
- Upward Adjustment of the CPD Allowance
They remain steadfast in their demands and are hopeful that the government will engage constructively to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
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The unions are urging the government to take their concerns seriously and to resolve the issues before the May 13 deadline.
Failure to do so could lead to disruptions in the education sector.