MoE and GES to engage Teacher Unions over ‘COLA’ strike
The National Labour Commission (NLC) has asked the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and other education sector agencies to engage Teacher Unions to address their concerns about the 20% Cost of living allowance.
NLC directive follows the declaration of industrial action by the Unions (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU and CCT-GH) on July 4 to register their displeasure over the government’s failure to grant them 20% COLA amidst hardship in the country.
“You are requested to engage the aggrieved Teacher Unions to negotiate settlement of their grievance within 7 days and furnish the Commission with a report upon completion,” the Labour Commission stated in a press release.
The leadership of the four Teacher Unions as the Ministry of Education (MoE) and its related agencies engage them has been urged to temporarily suspend the ongoing strike action to pave the way for a process of engagement to ensue.
Meanwhile, the management of the Ghana TVET Service following the ongoing COLA strike action has said public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools are not to be closed down amid the industrial action.
In a statement copied to AcademicWeek, the Service said “teaching and non-teaching staff of the Ghana TVET Service are not part of the declared strike action and continue to remain at the post to provide quality skills and training.”
The management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on its part has directed for all public basic schools to remain open despite the ongoing strike and urged school Heads to ensure the safety of students who report to school.
The Education Service in a press statement copied to AcademicWeek indicated Heads of basic schools across the country are to closely supervise all students who report to school until further directives from the management.
“Heads of Senior High Schools have been directed through the Regional and District Directors to mobilise their management teams to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students in all schools,” the GES said on July 4, 2022.
The Ghana Education Service has also asked parents of students in schools affected by the industrial action to remain calm saying that “management is closely monitoring the situation and will advise on the way forward accordingly.”
