NAGRAT’s strike must be averted

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has reminded government to address unpaid salaries and other issues before today’s ultimatum, to forestall any further moves to press home their legitimate requests.

After a number of unheeded reminders, the association, at a press conference in Accra, restated that it was not making any new demands on the government, but only to “carry out its obligation to the Ghana Education Service (GES) staff as other governments did since independence.”

The association reminded the government of the mandate the 11th National Delegates’ Conference gave the leadership of the association a few weeks ago in Bolgatanga, to pursue the matter within all means, threatening strike action and lawsuits if the government fails to respond appropriately.

NAGRAT is asking government to honour the payment of annual incremental credits to all teachers, outstanding salary arrears since November 2014, transfer grants and transport allowances; and to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, since the one now being used expired in December 2011.

NAGRAT noted that the failure of the government to respond to the issues was affecting teacher output, with low performance of pupils and students at basic, junior and senior high school examinations.

It has stated its reasons for the intended action, including the turning of deaf ears to teachers’ concerns.

In recent times, labour has been raising the red flag to remind employers that it is dissatisfied with their conditions of service.

The rising standard of living has made it difficult for Ghanaians to cope, as the economy shows no signs of recovery.

The days ahead will witness more workers’ agitation for improved conditions of service because of the rising prices of goods and services on the market.

The Finder does not intend to take sides in this tussle between NAGRAT and the educational authorities because both parties seem to have the force of argument backing their positions.

Nonetheless, we think it will be inappropriate to create the conditions for those in charge of the character formation of our youth to withdraw their services.

Looking at the steps that have been taken by NAGRAT, it appears it has followed the grievance procedure in arriving at its decision.

We think that if NAGRAT carries out its intended action, the consequences will impact negatively on educational standards.

It is no longer tenable to ask the teacher to expect his/her reward in heaven, and so it will be a Herculean task to try to talk teachers into calling off their intended action for the sake of the students without concrete steps to meet their demands.

The Finder can gauge the feelings of members of NAGRAT concerning the increasing difficulties they face in fending for themselves and their families.

Senior high schools have just resumed and need their teachers in the classroom.

As the deadline expires today, government must meet the demands of NAGRAT to avoid a strike action.