The Ghana Education Service (GES), has ordered Education Directors to ask teachers and non teaching staff of public schools to return to the classroom on July 18, 2022; after striking over the non payment of Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA).
Teachers in public schools made up of the the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers Ghana (CCT-GH); declared a nationwide strike action on July 4, 2022 a joint press briefing.
The strike was the last resort to get government to respond to the payment of a 20% COLA demand to teachers and non teaching staff.
Their move was nessesitated after several attempts to get government to pay the allowance, due to the poor economic situation and high cost of living in the country.
After more than a week of striking, the government and leaders of Organized Labour on July 14, 2022; agreed on a 15% COLA payment, effective July 1, 2022.
See a copy of the COLA agreement between government and Organized Labour below.
Following the agreement, a post made on the Facebook page of GES, on July 15, 2022, directed Regional and District Education Directors to get the teachers and other staff back to the classroom on Monday July 18, 2020;
“Please be informed…
Management has taken note of the successful completion of negotiations between GoG and Organised Labour on the Cost of Living Allowance( COLA) leading to the call- off of the strike by the Pre Tertiary Education workers Union.
Management therefore informs all Regional and District Directors of Education to ensure both teaching and non teaching staff of the Service return to school on Monday 18th July 2022 to start full academic work.
Thank you.”
The post reads in full.
Pupils, teachers and non teaching staff of all public schools in the country, are expected to return the classroom on Monday July, 18, 2022.