The president of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) has disclosed that government had a “very fruitful” discussion with the leadership of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association (CETAG).

Prof. Samuel Atintono told Evans Mensah on Joy News’ PM Express that “significant progress was made in the discussions” regarding a standoff between the Association and government.

He added, “The details, you get to know about soon. Not very far away. At this point, I can only say that we have had a very impressive meeting this evening. The Education Minister was in attendance and the CETAG president also came.”

Also in attendance were representatives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, PRINCOF, Finance Ministry, and Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTECH).

Strike Enters 40th Day

On June 14, teachers in various colleges of education laid down their tools, demanding better working conditions and remuneration packages.

Read also: CETAG declares indefinite strike; 46 public colleges to suffer

This action was a response to the government’s delay in implementing the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) Arbitral Award Orders and negotiated service conditions.

Read also: GTEC directs CAGD to withhold CETAG members’ July salaries

CETAG's demands include the payment of one month’s salary to each member for additional duties performed in 2022, and the application of agreed rates of allowances payable to public universities to deserving CETAG members.

This strike has affected all 46 public colleges of education nationwide.

According to CETAG's leadership, the strike aims to put pressure on the government to fulfil these commitments.

The academic calendar has been interrupted, and students are waiting anxiously for the resumption of classes.

The NLC secured an interlocutory injunction to halt the ongoing strike by CETAG.

Read also: NLC injuncts CETAG strike

Despite an NLC directive on June 20 to end the strike, CETAG continued, leading to a hearing where the Commission announced plans to sue the government to enforce the arbitral award in CETAG's favour.

On July 22, CETAG leadership said it would resist any illegal attempts to freeze members’ salaries.

They have also vowed to intensify their indefinite strike until the arbitral award and negotiated service conditions are implemented.

CETAG insists its strike is legal and has accused the NLC of misinforming the public about its actions.

Speaking at a news conference in Kumasi on Monday, July 22, CETAG President Prince Obeng-Himang stated that members will remain on strike until all outstanding concerns are addressed.

Significant Progress Made

When asked if an agreement had been reached to call off the strike and return to the classroom, Prof. Atintono said, “I wouldn't say we have reached agreement. We have got some significant commitments from government and CETAG.

“We ended and said we're going to do more engagement and government is also going back to do its homework and we'll get to know the details probably by the weekend.”

According to him, the meeting did not end in a stalemate as both sides made some commitments, necessitating further consultations.

“For me, this meeting in particular was very important given the background that some things have happened up to where we are.

"I'm happy that they turned up and we all made a very strong appeal to them [CETAG] to reconsider their position and we hope we hear from them before the weekend.”

Prof. Atintono expressed satisfaction that CETAG leadership did not come to the table with an entrenched position and that the Education Minister had a frank discussion with all parties aimed at resolving the matter.