The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has appealed to aggrieved teachers to call off their ongoing strike and return to the classroom while government addresses their concerns.
The appeal follows a crunch meeting between the Minister and representatives of the teacher unions on September 28 to address the issues that triggered the industrial action.
Mr. Iddrisu assured the unions that government is committed to addressing their concerns and finding a lasting solution to the impasse.
He explained the composition of the government negotiation team and clarified the limits of his mandate.
“The government team is here as Minister for Education, I have no negotiation mandate. The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission by law has and they are here. The Comptroller as Treasurer of Government also has some mandate and I’m sure if there are any consequential directives that keeps the academic calendar smooth sailing, I will appreciate you for partnering with government and working with government to resolve those legitimate concerns of yours whilst not jeopardizing the academic calendar,” he said.
The Minister underscored the need to protect the academic calendar, which he said has been stabilised after years of disruptions.
“And let me state this for matter of emphasis before I yield the floor to the leadership of the Labour Unions. This is the first time ever in five years to a decade that government has stabilised and normalised this academic calendar for all levels of education. That we hold dear and that you must hold dear and that we must hold dear for our learners and for our students at all levels,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.
He noted that the current calendar has allowed for a seamless transition for students.
“At least this year, students from secondary schools who passed WASSCE seamlessly are able to join the universities in September and we want the school calendar to remain so. So, a disruption of it can be fatal for the country and for the future of those young learners,” he warned.
Background
Teacher unions declared a nationwide strike last week over unresolved welfare issues, including conditions of service, allowances, and salary-related concerns, leaving many public basic and secondary schools deserted.
The strike has affected teaching and learning across the country, prompting calls from parents and education stakeholders for swift intervention.
Government says it remains open to further discussions with the teacher unions as efforts continue to resolve the issues and restore normal teaching and learning in schools.
