COLA strike disrupting 2022 academic calendar – NUGS

The leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) following the nationwide strike action by the four Teacher Unions says the ongoing industrial action is disrupting the 2022 academic calendar of public basic schools.

In a statement copied to AcademicWeek, the Students Union said government primary school students at the end of the day will be the ultimate victims should the simmering tension between government and teachers persists.

As part of efforts to get teachers back to classrooms and avert further disruption of the academic calendar, NUGS has urged the Ministry of Education and its related agencies to engage the Teacher Unions to address their concerns.

“We are minded of the Akan adage that “when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers” hence our students will be victims should the simmering tension between government and the Labour Unions persists

We will also like to call on our dear teachers not to have a non-negotiable position on this matter given the adverse effect of protracted strike action on academic life,” the President of NUGS, Dennis Appiah said in a press statement.

Amid the ongoing teachers’ strike, the Deputy ranking member of Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Clement Apaak has called on the management of the Ghana Education Service to close public basic schools across the country.

The Builsa South Member of Parliament call comes after the management of the Education Service on July 4, 2022, directed Heads of primary schools not to shut their facility despite the industrial action declared by the Unions.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Clement Apaak said it would be difficult for teachers to supervise and control students, particularly on day two (2) of the strike action over the demand for the 20% Cost of living allowance (COLA).

Background

Four Teacher Unions (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU and CCT-GH) on Monday, July 4, 2022, embarked on a nationwide strike action to register their displeasure over a 20% Cost of living allowance (COLA) the government has refused to agree.

In a joint release copied to AcademicWeek, the Unions said they on several occasions have engaged the government on the COLA to teachers and educational workers of pre-tertiary education level but all their efforts prove futile.

“Unfortunately, these calls have fallen on deaf ears, we wish to use this forum to express our displeasure over this insensitivity of the government regarding our demand,” the Teacher Unions stated in a statement issued on July 4.

Citing an increase in fuel prices, goods and other services, the leadership of the education sector Unions said their decision to embark on the nationwide industrial action is influenced by the high cost of living in the country.