TEWU wants all teachers back to the classroom

WA, Feb. 6, GNA - The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday called on the Government to take bold steps to send back to the classroom, all teachers performing the duties of non-teaching staff in the offices of the Ghana Education Service. Alhaji Hamsah Kambasi, National Chairman of the Union, who made the call noted that the Government had been training and turning out teachers annually but most classrooms still lacked teachers and one way of addressing that problem was to direct teachers performing administrative duties in the offices to return to the classrooms. Addressing the Quadrennial Upper West Regional Delegates' Conference of the Union at Wa, he said members of the Union were aware of their contribution towards the success of the new educational reforms in the country and would always follow due process to get issues affecting their members resolved by management.

"Strike actions are not the best for settling labour matters, but they cannot also be avoided totally if workers' expectations are taken for granted by management", he cautioned.

He said, although the labour law encouraged polarization of unions, stemming out from its stipulation that any two people at a workplace could form a union, its other side rather served as a wake-up call for unions to unite and speak with a common voice.

The two-day conference would, among others, evaluate their activities and deliberate on amendments to their constitution, adopt resolutions and elect regional executive officers and members to the National Executive Council.

Mr Dan Ayim Antwi, General Secretary of the Union said the unco-operative attitude of the Ghana Education Service that had resulted in the delayed conclusion of negotiations for the review of the conditions of service of workers of the GES was exhausting their patience.

He said it was disheartening to note that, despite Union's persistent demands during the past six years for the review of the Collective Agreement, negotiations were still in limbo.

He said at their last meeting on December 15, last year, three proposals - establishment of a Provident Fund to replace End Of Service Benefits, Payment of Arrears of Responsibility Allowance and Review of salaries for 2007, still remained to be resolved.

Mr Adams Sandow, Upper West Regional Secretary of the TUC, observed that the frequent change of the Director-General of the GES was also a major cause in the delay of the negotiations for a review of the conditions of service of members of TEWU.

He said the TUC would support any effort by the government to create jobs for the youth but such employment opportunities should be decent and sustainable.