TSK CEO urges government, teacher unions to resolve strike

By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, GNA  

Ada, Sept. 29, GNA – Mr Enoch Olua Kabutey, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TSK Ship Services Limited, has appealed to the government and teacher unions to resolve their differences to facilitate the early return of teachers to the classroom.  

Mr Kabutey said prolonged disagreements between employers and employees should not be allowed to negatively affect the education of children, who were not responsible for the issues leading to the strike.  

He made the appeal during the company’s “Wonɔ” Initiative, through which 5,000 exercise books and other educational materials were donated to four basic schools in the Ada East District.  

He expressed concern about what he described as declining academic performance in some districts, including Ada East, and called for collective efforts by the government, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to improve educational outcomes.  

Mr Kabutey said pupils and students currently had access to more educational resources and opportunities than previous generations, including improved access to schools, electricity and online learning materials.  

“During our time, we needed to walk a long distance before we got to school, and it happened daily. We did not have electricity then, and there were little or no opportunities for online research,” he said.  

He said despite the improvements in access to educational resources, academic performance in some areas remained a concern, and prolonged disruption to teaching could further affect learners. 

“If after all these, teachers are on strike again, you can imagine how much harm it will do to our young ones,” he said.  

Mr Kabutey appealed to the Ministry of Education and the government to consider the concerns of parents and pupils and work towards resolving the issues with the teacher unions.  

A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to some schools in the Ada East District on Monday observed a skeletal teaching presence at some of the schools, while teaching activities appeared limited.  

Some pupils were seen engaging in various games during what would ordinarily be a busy period of classroom instruction, while some students reportedly returned home before the usual closing time. 

GNA 

Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Kenneth Odeng Adade 

Reporter: Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, GNA