The Coalition of Concerned Teachers of Ghana (CCTG), has served notice of a strike on October 31, 2018.
The intended strike forms part of measures initiated to pressurize the government to defray all accumulated arrears of over 42,000 members of the Coalition.
This was brought to the fore at the CCTG’s 26th National Executive meeting in Tamale.
The National President, King Ali Awudu said no amount of persuasion would stop the intended strike unless the government addresses the issue.
According to him, the group can no longer trust government following several unfulfilled promises regarding the arrears payment.
“Government should ensure that the issue of salary arrears owed to the over 42,000 members is cleared latest October 31 as agreed.”
“CCT Ghana would be left with no choice than to embark on industrial action if this is not adhered to. This we will do even if one affected person is not paid before the end of the October 31 deadline.”
King Ali Awudu referenced a letter dated August 14, 2018, to the Director General of the Ghana Education Service which demanded the exemption of members of Coalition from the GES/SIC Life Group Insurance Policy.
He nonetheless assured the government of the Coalition’s support in the full implementation of the free Senior High School Double Track system.
He added that the National Teaching Council should do due diligence before implementing the Teachers licensing project.
“The National Teaching Council is mandated by law to license teachers. There is no need to rush. Prospective Teachers should not be disadvantaged in any way.”
He emphasized that “the input of the teacher unions should be taken on board to pave the way for the full implementation of the policy.”
A Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational schools, Barbara Ayisi, said the Double Track System had come to stay.
“This is to ensure enough space is created to ensure that more students are being enrolled into the various schools.”
“Another exciting factor is that contact hours will be increased and ultimately teachers will also have long vacations at the end of the semester.”
Barbara Ayisi reemphasized that, “Government will be recruiting about 8, 000 teachers more to complement those already in the system.”
“The congestion situation at the various second cycle institutions is so worrying. When a teacher is to handle about a hundred students in a class, it is not easy, sometimes marking a class is not easy. So I am sure if we reduce the class size, marking would be easier, and I am very confident that the double track system will help a lot.”
She explained that the Double Track or semester system was nothing new around the globe.
“The world is advancing at a very fast rate, and if we realize the government is doing something positive, we have to all support.”
“Ghana is going Technical and Vocational because we all have to be part of the trend worldwide. China, Singapore and now everybody is talking about TVET, so Ghana can’t be left out.”
“We all have to change so that we can achieve Ghana beyond Aid agenda.”
–
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana