By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Kadjebi (O/R), Oct. 12, GNA – Public schools in Kadjebi in the Oti Region have reopened following the suspension of a two-week teachers’ strike, with learners and teachers expressing mixed feelings about the resumption of academic activities.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to selected schools in the Kadjebi township on Monday morning showed that academic activities had resumed, although concerns remained about how to recover the instructional time lost during the industrial action.
Some learners expressed relief at the return of their teachers, while others feared that the disruption could affect the syllabus’ completion and preparations for examinations.
Miss Dogbla Miriam, a Form One learner at Kadjebi Girls’ Model Junior High School (JHS), said she was happy that teachers had returned to the classroom, giving learners the opportunity to continue their education and prepare for their end-of-term examinations.
Madam Joana Kekeli, a teacher at Kadjebi Girls’ Model JHS, described the strike as a difficult but necessary step to draw attention to issues affecting teachers’ welfare and conditions of service.
She acknowledged that industrial action disrupted academic activities and affected teaching and learning but said it also highlighted the need to address teachers’ concerns to ensure effective delivery of quality education.
She expressed the hope that the concerns raised during the strike would translate into concrete action rather than remain unfulfilled promises.
Madam Kekeli urged the government to honour its commitments, resolve outstanding issues, and provide teachers with the necessary support and motivation to perform their duties effectively.
She said prioritising teachers’ welfare would benefit learners and strengthen the education system.
At Kadjebi Roman Catholic (R.C.) JHS, Mr Eric Hehemekpe, a teacher, said he was pleased that the strike had yielded a positive outcome, with the government accepting proposals relating to teachers’ promotion, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) allowance, digital allowance and deprived-area allowance.
He expressed the hope that the government would fulfil its commitments to prevent further industrial action.
Mr Hehemekpe said teachers would adjust their timetables to make up for the instructional time lost during the strike.
Master Egbufor Abraham Samuel, the school prefect, said he was happy that teachers had returned but expressed concern that learners had lost valuable study time.
He feared that the disruption could make it difficult for teachers to complete the syllabus for the term.
At Kadjebi R.C. Primary School, Ms Bernice Fofie, a teacher, said teachers were happy to return to the classroom because teaching was their responsibility and their desire was to educate learners.
She said teachers were not happy to stay away from the classroom but were compelled to take industrial action to draw attention to their concerns.
Ms Fofie welcomed the government’s decision to address the issues raised by the teachers and urged it to honour its promises to prevent future disruptions.
At Kadjebi Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P.) JHS, Mr Gideon Norvinyo Ashiabi, a teacher, said the strike had been stressful, particularly because teachers had hoped to return to work earlier than they eventually did.
He expressed the hope that the government and the teachers would reach a lasting agreement on the issues presented for consideration.
Mr Ashiabi, however, expressed concern that some of the teachers’ proposals had not been accepted and called for outstanding issues to be resolved.
He said the remaining concerns should be addressed to ensure the full implementation of the commitments made to teachers.
Master Michael Wornu, the school prefect, thanked teachers for returning to the classroom and urged the government to address their concerns.
He said teachers played a crucial role in education and appealed to the government to consider their welfare to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning.
At Kadjebi D/A “A” JHS, Ms Juliet Mensah, a teacher, said she felt reluctant about returning to school after the disruption, explaining that academic activities had started on a promising note before the strike.
She said the time spent at home could make it difficult for learners to catch up with the academic schedule and expressed the hope that the government would expedite action on its commitments to teachers.
Miss Abdulai Nafisa, the girls’ prefect, said the resumption of classes was particularly important because learners had the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) ahead of them.
She appealed to school authorities to organise extra tuition to help cover the lost contact hours.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade