Volta Teachers Decry GES Failure to Pay Claims

TEACHERS IN the Volta Region are clearly disillusioned following the inability of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to pay their legitimate claims.

Late last year (2001), teachers in the region indicated their intention to go on strike over the non-restoration of supervision allowances for eligible teachers.

The GES, therefore, issued directives to its field officers to implement the revised conditions of service jointly signed as far back as November 21, 2000.

Chronicle gathered that after a series of meetings with the then Minister of Education, Mr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, the chairman of the Central Management Board, and the acting Director-General (D-G) of the GES at the time, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, now Minister of Education, it was agreed that the supervision allowance abolished since January 1999, be restored and that the acting D-G should issue circulars to the regional and district directors and managers of education units to implement the revised conditions of service.

Though the amounts agreed upon as supervision allowances were dismally low and unacceptable, GNAT did not only accept them in the spirit of compromise but also accepted the effective date for its implementation as May 1, 2001, instead of the demanded January 1, 2001.

A press statement signed by the regional GNAT secretary, Mawunyo Demanya, and copied to all stakeholders in the country's education sector, said despite those agreements teachers threatened strike action in Ho and other districts because they were not pleased with GNAT's compromise position.

A circular No. F.251/11/18 dated October 4, 2001 and issued by the GES to all regional and district directors of education and finance officers, instructing them to use revised ceiling for administration and service for the second to fourth quarter to pay the supervision, maintenance, guide, transfer grants, travel and transport and other allowances have not been complied with, because many of the districts had not received the enhanced second to fourth quarter grants.

To make matters worse, the officers were informed that the financial year 2001 had ended and that payment of those allowances would not be affected.

Indications are that the non-payment of their legitimate grants has caused a lot of frustration and disquiet among teachers in the region and an eruption is sure to rock the otherwise peaceful region sooner than later.

The release expressed optimism that the Regional Minister, Hon. Kwesi Owusu-Yeboa, the Education Minister, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and the acting Director General of the GES, Mr. Budu-Smith, would take a pro-active stand regarding the teachers' concerns, rather than wait for things to get out of hand before stepping in with belated expressions of sympathy and appeals.

Unable to contain their frustration any longer, the teachers warned that any further delay in the payment of their bonafide claims would lead to unpleasant consequences this academic year.

GHAT further made a passionate appeal to the Minister of Education to see to the immediate reconstitution of the GES Council to deal with issues of promotion of teachers and appointments.

In a related development, GNAT has expressed dismay and shock over the death of 36 pupils and students from the Jasikan district in the recent boat disaster on the Volta Lake near Amevlovikope Island a couple of weeks ago.

The regional secretary expressed horror over the mass burial of victims because they could not be identified early enough and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families as well as wished them speedy recovery from their shock.

The secretary called for the need to intensify the education of boat owners, operators and the general public against the overloading of the boats and its inherent catastrophy.

The teachers also added their voice to the call by the Jasikan District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Kelele, to the Volta River Authority (VRA) to provide, as a matter of urgency, a pontoon to transport people on the lake.

They further expressed the need for boat owners to provide life jackets and insurance covering for their boats before they are registered to operate.