Teacher trainees suspend nationwide strike

The Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has in the interim suspended its indefinite nationwide strike over the withdrawal of allowances.

The Association said it opted to backtrack because government and other stakeholders have come forward to negotiate over the issue.

“The Ministry of Education and for that matter government has responded positively to meet the leadership of TTAG. NCTE in a different development has made a resounding move to organize a meeting that will feature TTAG, NCTE and the Ministry of Education to seek appropriate redress to our problems,” the TTAG said in a statement to the media.

Below is TTAG’s full statement:

The leadership of TTAG, on behalf of the Council of Patrons and National executive council would like to express our profound gratitude to our gallant men and women (Teacher Trainees nationwide) for rallying their unflinching support behind us in the period of our strike action that took effect from Monday May 18, 2015 in our quest to:

1. Draw the attention of stakeholders and the good people of Ghana on the adverse effect of the scrapping of the teacher trainees’ allowance and to request for its immediate reinstatement.

2. To call on government as a matter of urgency to come clear on issues relating to the posting of the current level 200 and subsequent batches. The indications and calls that we (leadership) have had so far in this period of our indefinite strike action are positive and as law abiding and well meaning Ghanaians who have our Mother land Ghana at heart has resorted to temporary suspend our nationwide strike action for the following reasons:

The Ministry of Education and for that matter government has responded positively to meet the leadership of TTAG. NCTE in a different development has made a resounding move to organize a meeting that will feature TTAG, NCTE and the Ministry of Education to seek appropriate redress to our problems.

Also, the major associations of the Teaching fraternity that is Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) have also express interest in helping us in the negotiation process in accordance with the Labour Act 2003 Act 161(1) which states that “a party to an industrial dispute shall not resort to strike or lock – out during the period when negotiation, mediation or arbitration proceedings are in progress”.

With reference to this we entreat our indefatigable members to return to school, stay calm and support us as we go through the negotiation with the Ministry of Education.

Furthermore, we would like to commend the Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF), Colleges of Education Tutors Association of Ghana (CETAG), Parents, Guidance, Media and all stakeholders for their support during our strike action.

We passionately appeal to all to assist us in this our fight for the reinstatement of the allowances. In conclusion we would call on the over 48,000 Teacher Trainees to study assiduously and live a life that is worthy of emulation.