Three major pre-tertiary teacher unions have warned that they may resort to industrial action if the government fails to address long-standing concerns captured in their conditions of service.
The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) say they are dissatisfied with delays in implementing key provisions agreed upon in previous negotiations.
The unions issued the warning after a meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on Thursday, July 16, ended without a resolution, with the commission indicating that it would seek a fresh mandate from government before further negotiations.
Speaking on the Channel One Newsroom, Vice President of PRETAG, Adokwei Ayikwei Awulley, said teachers are particularly concerned about issues that have remained unresolved despite being included in their conditions of service.
He cited the stagnation of teachers at the deputy director level due to the absence of a clear promotion pathway, as well as the failure to implement incentives for teachers working in difficult and hard-to-reach areas.
“The problem that we have is about two main issues that have occurred consistently in our condition of service from 2009 up to date, and it has never been implemented.”
Mr Awulley explained that some teachers who attain the position of deputy director have remained at that level for more than 10 years because they cannot progress to the next stage unless vacancies become available.
He said the unions are also concerned that a directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama on the promotion of deputy directors was yet to be implemented.
“His Excellency President John Mahama issued a directive that it should be implemented. Until now, it has not been done, and it is also part of the condition of service.”
According to him, successive governments have also failed to implement the 20% incentive for teachers posted to difficult or hard-to-reach areas, despite repeated commitments.
The PRETAG Vice President said the unions will give government until the end of next week to demonstrate commitment towards resolving the issues.
“If nothing concrete is done, we will advise ourselves. We’ll use all possible means at our disposal to ensure that we get what we are supposed to get.”
The unions insist that their demands are not new, but rather commitments already negotiated and included in their conditions of service that have not been implemented.
