The teachers have been demonstrating since Wednesday March 2, after they visited their banks and realized their salaries had been slashed, increased slightly or in some cases maintained, as against the promise of an average 34% increase.
They have also alleged that the Ministry has abolished the payment of teachers’ professional allowance, a claim Government has denied.
Although the Ministry of Education has assured them of Government’s commitment to address the concerns by the end of March, explaining that the anomalies were technical and in some cases an oversight, some teachers have vowed to carry out their threat of boycotting the Independence Anniversary celebrations on Sunday March 6, which include a march past by school children.
Education Minister Betty Mould Iddrisu has appealed to the teachers to remain calm and allow the students to take part in the annual event, since a technical committee made up of NAGRAT, GNAT, the Fair Wages Commission and the Education Ministry is currently meeting in Dodowa to find solutions to the concerns of the 277,747 employees on the GES payroll.
The teachers have threatened not to return to the classroom until the anomalies are corrected even after the Independence Day celebrations on March 6. But the NPP’s General Secretary, Mr. Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie wants the teachers to remain calm.
“Education is always in our best hands in the NPP. Whilst we were in Government we ensured that our people received the highest form of tuition and that teachers’ salaries were properly remunerated. We will urge the teachers to go back to the classroom whilst we urge Government to expeditiously deal with the problem that got them out in the first place”.
The Propaganda Secretary of the NDC Richard Quarshigah told Citi News Government understands the sentiments of the teachers and can only appeal to them to return to the classrooms whilst it delivers on its promise of improving the welfare of teachers.
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