By Agbaxode Emmanuel, GNA
Akatsi (VR), Sept. 29, GNA – Academic activities at public basic schools in the Akatsi South and North of the Volta Region, have been disrupted as teachers comply with the ongoing nationwide industrial action declared by their unions.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to some schools within the Akatsi township on Tuesday, showed largely deserted school compounds, with classrooms locked and no teaching and learning activities taking place.
Mr Raymond Atsugah, the Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for Akatsi South and North, confirmed to the GNA that teachers in the two Districts were complying with the directive from their national leadership.
He said members had been directed to stay away from the classroom and were therefore not reporting as such to undertake teaching duties.
The schools visited included Akatsi Number One Junior High School, Akatsi R.C. Basic School, and Duawodome Basic School.
The development followed the nationwide industrial action declared by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) on Friday, September 25.
The Unions are demanding, among other things, the placement of teachers who had successfully passed promotional examinations on the appropriate salary scales, and payment of outstanding promotion-related arrears.
They are also seeking the implementation of the deprived area allowance and progress on negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
During an engagement on Monday, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister for Education, appealed to the Unions to suspend the industrial action as engagements continued, to address the concerns raised by the teachers.
However, the Unions had maintained that their members would remain off duty until concrete steps were taken to address the outstanding issues.
The strike has consequently affected teaching and learning in the two areas, with pupils and students unable to receive their usual classroom instruction.
The GNA however observed smooth educational activities on the part of private schools within the Akatsi South Municipality.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Agbaxode Emmanuel
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