TVET schools not affected by COLA strike – TVET Service

The management of the Ghana TVET Service following the declaration of a nationwide industrial action by Teacher Unions over the Cost of living allowance (COLA) has said TVET schools are not affected by the strike 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.”

In a related development, the management of the Ghana Education Service has directed for all government basic schools across the country to remain open despite the ongoing strike by pre-tertiary teachers until further notice.

The Ghana Education Service in a release on Monday also entreated Heads of various public basic schools nationwide to closely supervise all prospective students who report to school until further directives from the management.

Public Relations Officer for the Ghana Education Service (GES), Cassandra Twum Ampofo in the statement indicated the leadership of the various Teacher Union has been invited to a crunch meeting over the nationwide COLA strike.

“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 leadership of the four Teacher Unions (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU and CCT-GH) on Monday, July 4, 2022, jointly issued a press release to announce their decision to embark on industrial action over a 20% Cost of living allowance (COLA).

The Unions in the statement copied to AcademicWeek 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.

“Inflation in the country is currently 27.6% and continues to escalate and Infinitum; only God knows when this will abate. We are much appalled at the inept attitude of the government relative to call for COLA,” the Unions noted.