NLC orders teacher unions to call off strike over new GES DG

The National Labour Commission (NLC) after meeting with the teacher unions over their ongoing strike action against the appointment of Eric Nkansah as Director-General of the Ghana Education Service has called for strike call-off

According to a source familiar with the development, the management of the Labour Commission has ordered the three teacher unions to immediately call off their strike and continue negotiations with the central government.

“The Commission has directed pre-tertiary Unions to call off the strike immediately to engage with the government over the issues in dispute. Parties are to report on 16th November 2022,” the source told AcademicWeek.com.

The directive comes after the pre-tertiary teacher unions declared a nationwide strike action on Friday, November 4, 2022, to register their displeasure over Dr Nkansah’s appointment following a deadline for him to be sacked.

In a statement copied to AcademicWeek, the teachers said “we have decided to embark on a strike from November 4, 2022. We are informing the public that we are withdrawing our services in all pre-tertiary education institutions.”

With 17 Educationists appointed Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) since 1974 to date, the pre-tertiary unions say Dr Eric Nkansah with a banking background is not qualified to manage education in the country.

“It must be stated that the Director-General position is preserved for Educationists and has been occupied by Educationists since 1974 to date. 17 Director-Generals have been appointed to serve at GES,” the unions stated.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the three teacher unions (NAGRAT, CCT-GH and GNAT) are yet to issue a statement indicating whether the ongoing nationwide industrial action has been called off or is still in action.

But the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) on its part has directed Heads of public basic schools as the central government negotiates with the pre-tertiary teachers to call off their sit-down strike action.

In a statement copied to AcademicWeek, GES said it has directed all Heads of public Kindergarten and primary schools as well as Junior High Schools to mobilise and ensure the safety and well-being of the prospective students.

“Meanwhile, parents are advised to remain calm and be assured that the management is closely monitoring the situation and will advise on the way forward,” the Ghana Education Service (GES) stated in the press release.