The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has stated that its members are not ready to work beyond their legally mandated hours, despite the need to make up for lost instructional time during their recent strike.
The strike, which lasted from June 14 to August 20, 2024, was initiated due to the government’s failure to implement agreed-upon conditions of service for CETAG members.
Following negotiations with the National Labour Commission and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, CETAG officially called off the strike on Tuesday, August 20.
However, CETAG’s national president, Prince Obeng-Himah, made it clear in an interview with Citi News that while the association is open to discussions on recovering lost time, teachers will not agree to work beyond their usual class hours.
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Obeng-Himah expressed his concern over the toll that extended work hours took on teachers during past periods of strike.
He said, “Some time ago, when it happened, we were compelled to teach up to 9 pm, 10 pm, then we started teaching the following day at 5 am. We are not prepared to go along that tangent. We will teach normally.”
Furthermore, Obeng-Himah pointed out that CETAG’s strike was legally protected, as the National Labour Commission failed to declare it illegal or obtain court injunctions to halt the strike.
He emphasized that the teachers are not at fault for the lost instructional hours and should not be pressured to compromise their health and well-being.
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However, information gathered by Coleman Publications reveals that PRINCOF and the affiliate universities are working to adjust the academic calendar to accommodate the lost contact hours due to the strike.
