Three teacher unions have laid down their tools, effective today, Friday, October 4, in protest against the appointment of Dr Eric Nkansah as Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) announced the nationwide strike early Friday morning.
The associations believe that Dr Nkansah is a banker, not a professional teacher. Hence government should appoint another person with an education background.
They also cited other reasons for the strike, such as the failure of the Ministry of Education to promote qualified teachers in the profession, the failure to harness the payment of car or vehicle maintenance allowance to teachers, and the reluctance to deliver laptops for teachers to facilitate their teaching in the various schools.
According to the unions, the Ministry of Finance had indicated that their allowances were paid in 2018, but they have not received any allowances yet.
Last week, the unions started a series of meetings concerning the removal of Dr Eric Nkankah, but the government did not heed their call.
At the meeting last week, the unions alleged that “the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, claims the newly elected Director of Education has taught at a primary school and a Senior High School (SHS)”.
But the group refuted that allegation because they believed the newly appointed GES. Director has no background knowledge in education. They claim Dr Nkansah has knowledge of accounting but not of education.
Speaking at a press conference, the President of NAGRAT, Mr Angel Carbonu, indicated that” the newly appointed GES Director has not undertaken any training in education. Therefore, he cannot become the newly appointed GES Director”.
At the press conference, the heads of the three unions declared that they are commencing the industrial strike nationwide till further notice.
The leadership of the three unions has therefore asked all teachers already in schools to halt their services and act accordingly to the instruction given by GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT, respectively.
Below is a joint statement issued by the group.