Schools Reopen Today as Education Ministry Praises Teacher Unions for Suspending Nationwide Strike

The Ministry of Education has commended three teacher unions for suspending their nationwide strike following negotiations with the government and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), paving the way for public basic schools across Ghana to resume normal academic activities on Monday, October 12, 2026.

The strike, which began on September 25, 2026, involved the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG).

The unions embarked on the industrial action over the government’s failure to address concerns relating to their conditions of service, including outstanding allowances, arrears, and other unresolved employment-related grievances.

However, following negotiations with the relevant authorities, the unions announced the suspension of the strike on Friday, October 9, 2026, after reaching an agreement with the FWSC on outstanding financial obligations.

The decision followed engagements held earlier that day with the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and the Council of State, as efforts intensified to resolve the disagreement and restore normal teaching activities in public schools.

The Ministry of Education welcomed the unions’ decision, recognising the importance of dialogue in resolving disputes and ensuring that teaching and learning activities continue without further disruption.

The strike had raised concerns among parents, pupils, and education stakeholders, particularly over lost instructional time and the potential impact on academic schedules.

With the suspension now in effect, teachers are expected to return to their classrooms and resume their duties, allowing pupils to continue their education after weeks of disruption caused by the industrial action.

GNAT General Secretary Thomas Musah also urged teachers to return to work on Monday, following the agreement reached between the union leadership and the FWSC.

According to Musah, discussions concerning promotion, deprived-area allowances, and outstanding arrears had been concluded, providing grounds for the unions to suspend the strike and direct their members back to school.

However, the suspension does not mean every grievance raised by the unions has been resolved. Union leadership has indicated that engagements on outstanding concerns will continue as discussions with the relevant authorities progress.

The return to school is expected to restore normal academic activities across public basic schools, while the government and teacher unions work towards addressing the remaining issues.

The development highlights the importance of sustained dialogue between government and organised labour in preventing prolonged industrial disputes that affect essential public services.

Education stakeholders will now be watching closely to see whether the commitments made during negotiations are implemented as agreed and whether further discussions produce lasting solutions to teachers’ concerns.

For now, the immediate priority is to restore classroom activities and minimise further disruption to pupils’ education while negotiations on unresolved matters continue.

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