Members and leadership of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) remain steadfast despite threats of salary freezes by their employers. The teachers have been on strike for over six weeks, demanding better conditions of service. According to a member of CETAG’s national communications team, Fedilis Kamaayi, the strike will continue until their demands are met.
Kamaayi, speaking in an interview on JoyNews, emphasized the determination of CETAG members. He noted that they were aware their employers might resort to freezing their salaries to pressure them into ending the strike. Despite this, he explained, the teachers are prepared for such measures and remain united in their cause.
“When the directive was issued, it even motivated most of our tutors,” Kamaayi said. He added that many members are willing to forfeit their August salaries if necessary, reinforcing their commitment to the strike until all arbitrary awards are implemented. The teachers have mentally prepared themselves for the consequences and are ready to face whatever comes next.
The strike began on June 14 and has caused significant disruption to academic activities across the 46 public colleges of education in Ghana. Most students have left campus, and the situation remains unresolved. The Minister of Education recently directed Principals and the Controller and Accountant General not to validate the July 2024 salaries of the striking teaching staff, intensifying the standoff.
Asked whether CETAG members are prepared to continue the strike action, Kamaayi expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved soon. He highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that final-year students have only one more semester to complete and that admission forms for new level 100 students are being sold. “It will not augur well for the educational system in the country if the strike continues,” he stated, suggesting that the employer would ultimately have to address their demands.
Meanwhile, the President of the Conference of Principals of the Colleges of Education, Professor Samuel Atintono, said the freeze on teachers’ salaries could not be reversed unless directed by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). “It was GTEC that wrote the letter not to validate the July salaries, so until GTEC writes again, we cannot reverse,” he explained.
The strike’s impact on the education sector has been profound. The students’ absence from campuses has led to a halt in academic activities, and the future of many students hangs in the balance. The CETAG members’ resolve to continue their strike, even in the face of salary freezes, demonstrates their commitment to securing better working conditions. Their stance has also drawn attention to the broader issues within the education sector in Ghana, highlighting the need for systemic changes.
The government’s response to the strike has been met with criticism from various quarters. Many argue that the decision to freeze salaries is a discplinary measure that does not address the underlying issues. Instead of resolving the conflict, it has only served to deepen the divide between the teachers and their employers.
