Following a recent meeting on negotiations on 17th April 2024 between teacher unions and the government on their conditions of service, reports reaching Myjoyonline indicates that the government side tabled a significant offer to the teachers.
On the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Allowance, the government, according to sources, has offered GHS 2,000, up from the current GHS 1,200 for professional teachers. This is an increase of about 70%.
The government also offered GHS 1,400 for non-professional teachers, up from GHS 800, and this also represents more than a 70% increment.
Additionally, on the request from teachers for the Deprived Area Allowance, the government side has made it clear to the teacher unions that they wish to have a separate and wider conversation with Trade Unions because other sectors and services also have workers in areas that can be classified as deprived.
Checks indicate that the leaders of the teacher unions have not taken steps to inform their rank and file of the offer to ascertain general acceptance.
Meanwhile, some teachers who supposedly did not fully comprehend why the recent strike was called, are unaware of the offer made by the government side in the current negotiations.
The teacher unions on the other hand insist that the government must offer them a new allowance on their pay slip at all costs and seem not to be willing to consider the offer on the table.
The government is of the view that, in the current economic climate and the IMF programme, it continues to ensure that the demands of workers are met with care and tact.