By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Sept 30, GNA – The ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike has brought learning to a standstill in several Basic Schools across the Cape Coast Metropolis, with classrooms left empty and school gates locked as teachers stay away from school.
Some schools visited by the Ghana News Agency include St Monica’s Girls’ Primary and Junior High School, Catholic Jubilee School, Philip Quacoo Girls’ School, St Augustine’s Basic School, Adisadel Basic School and Ekon M/A Basic School.
The industrial action, which began on Friday, September 25, 2026, was spearheaded by teacher unions to compel government to take concrete steps to address their key demands of payment of outstanding promotion arrears and unresolved conditions of service
During a tour of the schools on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) found compounds eerily quiet, with classrooms locked and no teachers or students in sight.
Many of the institutions lacked visible security, allowing sheep and goats to roam freely across school compounds, while some sections had been converted into makeshift football pitches.
The situation mirrored reports from neighbouring communities, where a nationwide teachers’ strike has left many classrooms empty.
At Aquarium Basic School B and C, the GNA encountered eight pupils skating on the school premises.
A Class Five pupil whose father is a teacher, said: “My father is a teacher; so I understand the teachers’ grievances, but I plead with them to end the strike and resume teaching.
“My seniors are preparing for their exams, and we don’t want them to fail because of this so they should please return to teach us.”
Others expressed the fear that prolonged absence from school would affect their performance and future opportunities.
At the Kwegyir Aggrey Basic School in Aboom, 14 classrooms were empty, leaving behind only a deafening silence.
At Philip Quacoo Girls’ School in the heart of Cape Coast, an official who pleaded anonymity was stationed at the entrance to ensure compliance.
However, only three non-teaching staff members were seen inside the school, seated behind their computers, and they said they were not part of the strike.
At Philip Quacoo Girls’ School in the heart of Cape Coast, an official sitting at the entrance told the GNA that they would not return until all their monies were paid.
However, three non-teaching staff members were seen seated behind their computers.
However, at the Mfantsipim Basic School, the GNA observed a few pupils in classrooms without teachers.
A teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity around the Mfantsipim gate, said they were sympathetic to the pupils’ plight but insisted the strike was a last resort after years of unaddressed demands.
“We love our pupils, but if we don’t stand up now, who will fight for our rights?” one teacher told the GNA.
Another added that many colleagues had not received promotion arrears owed since early 2026 and felt ignored by duty bearers.
The teacher assured: “We will return to the classroom once the government honours its commitment on arrears, the Collective Agreement and the Deprived Area Allowance.”
Some pupils, parents and other residents encountered in town appealed to striking teachers to return to the classroom, stressing that the industrial action had severely disrupted learning and examination preparation.
Many pupils expressed anxiety that prolonged closures would undermine their readiness for upcoming tests and compromise their academic performance.
A parent, Madam Justina Amoah said the strike had thrown household routines into disarray and increased the burden of supervising children at home.
Other concerns raised included fears that the strike could deepen educational inequalities, as pupils without access to private tutoring or learning materials would be left behind.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Isaac Arkoh
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]