The Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) has called the bluff of the Ministry of Education over threats of a likely freeze of their salaries.
POTAG has blamed their prolonged strike on government’s poor management of the issues involved.
Polytechnic teachers have been on strike for months in demand for the payment of their book and research allowance.
The strike disrupted academic activities which forced authorities of the various polytechnics to close down the institutions.
Government has given indications it will pay the said allowances but a Deputy Education Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has hinted that the Ministry may have to freeze the salaries of POTAG members to compel them to call off their strike.
In response to this threat by the Ministry, the General Secretary of POTAG, Adamu Ibrahim said Mr. Ablakwa has no moral right to issue such a threat.
He described the statement as “unfortunate” insisting that, the Ministry “has not handled this issue responsibly” which has prolonged the strike.
According to him, POTAG members will not return to the classroom despite the threats from the Deputy Minister.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) joined their colleague POTAG members by withdrawing their services.
It’s been over two weeks since UTAG also declared an indefinite strike over their book and research allowance.
This among other issues has led to the postponement of the re-opening date of the University for Cape Coast.
However, the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana is hopeful their lecturers will suspend their industrial action before school re-opens on Wednesday.
The President of the University of Ghana’s SRC President, Joshua Dogbe believes their talks with UTAG will yield positive results.
Dogbe disclosed that the SRC has been in talks with the school authorities over the matter.
According to him, stakeholder meetings of this nature “involve discussions between major stakeholders in the education sector so we will have to follow due processes.”
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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