Colleges of Education teachers’ strike to end before next week – Okudzeto

Deputy Minister for Education in charge of tertiary institutions, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is confident the strike action declared by teachers of Colleges of Education will not enter next week, considering the alacrity with which the ministry wants is resolving the issue.

“We are only waiting for a letter from the Ministry of Finance and a date for implementation of their processes and that should not reach next week”, he assured.

Speaking on Okay FM’s ‘Adiekye Bea’ morning show this morning, the Deputy Minister said, all negotiations were completed but that the only thing holding them now is a letter from the Ministry of Finance to officially migrate them onto the Single Spine Salary Structure(SSS) and a date of implementation.

The teachers have for the past four years been pushing for an upgrade of their current status to that of teachers of other tertiary institution to enable them enjoy the same benefits.

According to the teachers who form the College of Education Teachers Association of Ghana, the government has been dragging its feet unduly, hence their resort to strike on September 12.

They argued that they have been stripped off all allowances they used to enjoy under Ghana Education Service because they are now classified as tertiary institution teachers but their conditions of service are yet to be granted, adding that it was long overdue.

But Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that there is no contention on the part of government about their grievances and it is working around the clock to see their problems resolved.

At the start of the strike action a Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Ofosu Kwakye pleaded with the teachers to use the negotiation table to resolve all their grievances with the government.

“They are calling for recognition and proper placement on the pay structure. I don’t think this is an issue that should lead to an impasse. I will only appeal to them to go back to the negotiation table and negotiate the terms,” he told the teachers.

He expressed the hope that the respective ministries concerned with the issues of the teachers will swiftly intervene, adding, “Government’s disposition is to hear them and take the necessary steps that will inure to the benefits of all parties”.