By Kodjo Adams
Accra, July 23, GNA – Teacher trainees at the Accra College of Education have called on the government to swiftly address the concerns of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to prevent further disruption of academic activities.
The trainees said the strike, embarked on by CETAG in June, had adversely affected the College’s academic calendar, needing urgent attention.
The Ghana News Agency observed a quiet atmosphere when it visited the College campus in Accra Tuesday, with a few students gallivanting.
Mr Richmond Adjei, the Student Representative Council President for Accra College of Education, said in an interview that the strike had led to a complete halt of academic and administrative activities.
He said the strike had worsened their challenges, with many, especially level 400 students, struggling to secure temporary accommodation for their studies.
The strike, the SRC President stressed, had disrupted the submission of project work for Level 400 trainees, a crucial requirement for their Supported Teaching in Schools programme.
He appealed to the government to amicably address the issues with CETAG to restore teaching and learning in the Colleges.
Ms Sarah Boakye, a teacher trainee, expressed worry about the situation and called for urgent attention to restore academic lessons.
“We were supposed to be writing our exams, but the strike has halted everything,” Ms Roselyn Adotey said.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, on Monday, July 22, 2024, wrote to the Controller and Accountant General to withhold the July remuneration of members of CETAG.
The statement, which would affect only the teaching staff of CETAG, was at the instance of the Minister of Education on the non-adherence of CETAG members to calling off an “illegal” strike in June 2024.
Mr Prince Obeng-Himang, CETAG President, said in response to the statement, said any attempt to illegally freeze their salaries would lead to legal action.
He explained that the strike was a legitimate response to the government’s delay in implementing the arbitral award and negotiated service conditions.
Mr Obeng-Himang said the members would remain on strike until all outstanding issues were addressed.
The Association also denied allegations that its members were conducting quizzes and tests for students during the strike.
He refuted claims that some members had received arrears for the Book and Research Allowance for the 2022/2023 academic year.
CETAG declared an indefinite strike on Friday, June 14, 2024, to push the government to meet its demands.
Their concerns include the payment of one month’s salary to each member for additional duties performed in 2022 and the application of agreed rates of allowances payable to public universities to deserving CETAG members.
GNA