GTEC directs Colleges of Education to stay open despite ongoing CETAG strike

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all colleges of education across the country to remain open pending a final decision on the strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).

CETAG began a nationwide strike on June 14 due to what it said was the government’s failure to implement the arbitral awards and other conditions of service of its members.

There have been calls for the closure of the various colleges of education due to the two-month strike but GTEC insists such a decision has not been reached yet.

GTEC, in a statement, indicated that “the Commission as of today, 16th August 2024, has not reached such a conclusion, neither has it been directed by the Honourable Minister of Education to do same. As a result, all of the 46 Colleges of Education should stay open until further notice.”

Below is the full statement.

UPDATE ON CETAG STRIKE CONCERNS AND COLLEGES OF EDUCATION CLOSURE

The attention of GTEC has been drawn to numerous requests on the need for the closure of the 46 colleges of education in lieu of the impending strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (CETAG).

The Commission, as of today, 16th August 2024, has not reached such a conclusion, neither has it been directed by the Honourable Minister of Education to do same. As a result, all of the 46 Colleges of education should stay open until further notice.

Again, as you are aware, the Commission has migrated 20 institutions as of today and hopes to complete all 46 before the end of the month.

In addition, the top-up of the research allowance has been paid to 44 colleges of education except McCoy and Dambai, who have some technical issues to be resolved. Additionally, the all-year-round payment, which is also an issue of contention, has been initiated on Ghana Integrate Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to enable the Ministry of Finance to issue the release letter and specific warrant for payment to be effected as soon as possible.

Regarding payment of salaries for August, the Commission will communicate directives on the subject once same has been received from the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum.

In the meantime, the Commission is in serious talks with the Honourable Minister of Education for financial clearance to be granted to GTEC to recruit some two thousand five hundred (2500) teaching staff to augment the current load for academic work to commence as quickly as possible while we work with CETAG to resolve their concerns.

GTEC will communicate to you the modalities with which this urgent staff recruitment will be expedited as soon as the clearance is provided.

I am counting on your usual cooperation.