Academic activities remain suspended at colleges of education in the Ashanti region, despite the Colleges of Education Teachers Association Ghana (CETAG) calling off its two-month strike. The strike, which began on June 14, was sparked by CETAG’s demands for better working conditions and remuneration packages, particularly the implementation of the National Labour Commission’s Arbitral Award Orders.
After reaching an agreement with the government, CETAG members decided to end the industrial action, but students who left campus during the strike have yet to return. Teacher trainees are now calling for an extension of the academic calendar to make up for the lost time, citing concerns about falling behind schedule.
The strike affected 46 public colleges nationwide, causing disruptions to the academic calendar and impacting students’ learning. CETAG’s demands included payment of one month’s salary to each member for additional duties performed in 2022 and application of agreed rates of allowances payable to public universities.
The government’s delay in implementing the Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions led to the strike, which lasted for two months. Despite the agreement, students are yet to return to campus, and academic activities remain suspended.
The extension of the academic calendar is seen as crucial to ensuring that students do not fall behind in their studies. The situation highlights the need for timely resolution of industrial disputes to minimize disruptions to academic activities and ensure the smooth operation of educational institutions.
