Teachers’ Union Strike Continues But Teaching And Learning Ongoing In The Ashanti Region.
Today marks Day 2 of the nationwide strike declared by teacher unions, but school activities are still ongoing in some schools within the Asokwa Municipality, Atwima Nwahiagya and Abrepo of the Ashanti Region.
The three major teacher unions the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH), together with the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), declared an indefinite nationwide strike over unresolved concerns about their conditions of service.
The unions announced the decision at a press conference in Accra on Friday, September 25, directing all pre-tertiary teachers across the country to lay down their tools and leave the classroom until further notice.
According to the unions, government has failed to address key issues including poor conditions of service, delays and anomalies in promotions, non-payment of deprived-area allowance, and other welfare concerns affecting teachers despite several engagements.
The declaration of the strike which started on Friday instructed all members to strictly adhere to the directive and stay away from school.
However, a visit to some schools in the Asokwa Municipality today shows a mixed situation.
At Dumpoase M/A Basic School and some other schools visited, teaching and learning activities were still ongoing, with some teachers spotted in classrooms teaching pupils who reported to school, while other classrooms remained empty.
Some teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity said they opened the schools to take care of pupils who may report, to ensure their safety even though full teaching is not taking place.
Meanwhile, some parents have expressed worry about the situation and are calling on government and the teacher unions to quickly resolve the impasse to prevent disruption of the academic calendar.
“We are pleading with government to listen to the teachers. Our children will suffer if this strike continues for long,” a parent stated.
Story by Bismark Mensah@A/R.
