The President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at the University of Ghana, Dr. Langbon Bimi, has stated that University teachers will use the research and book allowance government pays them to provide state of the art teaching.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) declared an indefinite strike in July 2014 to protest the government’s decision to scrap the payment of book and research allowances to tertiary institutions.
The government has stated that it will scrap the payment of book and research allowances and establish a national research fund instead.
The Ministry of Education has threatened to drag UTAG before the National Labour Commission (NLC) for failing to follow the laid down procedures before embarking on a strike.
Explaining the stance of UTAG regarding the book and research allowance on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Dr. Langbon Bimi revealed that the book and research allowance demanded by the group was part of their condition of service and no one could just get up and say he or she was removing it.
He also mentioned that in their condition of service “it is stated that this book and research allowance will be reviewed from time to time”
According to him “the two are absolutely different things, the research allowance that we take as conditions of service are basic tools that we use to teach.”
“We source money from all over the world to do research. The research allowance is just GHC 500,” he added.
He also revealed that university teachers use the book and research allowance to update their knowledge and publish their work in reputable journals for their promotion.
Polytechnic teachers have been on strike over the research and book allowance for six weeks now. Leaders of Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) say they will not return to the classroom until the monies owed them are paid.
By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/Citifmonline.com/Ghana