Teachers’ Service Conditions Under Review

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has begun negotiations with the Ghana Education Service (GES) on the conditions of service for teachers in the country. These include allowances for headmasters, headteachers, housemasters and circuit supervisors. The President of GNAT, Mr Joseph Adjei, has told the Daily Graphic that the first meeting between the GNAT and the GES was held last week, adding that both teams were expected to meet again and continue the negotiations. According to him, GNAT was committed to the welfare of teachers in the country, and would do all it could to ensure that they had better conditions of service to enhance their livelihood. He therefore urged teachers to exercise restraint and carry out their normal duties to ensure the success of the education reform which was to commence in September. Mr Adjei underscored the need for the teachers' front to remain united since fragmentation would not be in their interests. "The world is now gearing towards Education International, a body comprising teachers from the Kindergarten to the University level", he noted. He explained that no system was perfect in the world, and urged members who had threatened to break away from the association to reconsider their decision. "If they think that there is something wrong they should point it out for correction", he said, adding, "our doors are widely open for suggestions." He indicated that GNAT had also imported 52 vehicles for teachers and that between 120 and 200 more vehicles would be imported next year for members. "We are bent on giving our members all the services they need. Teachers should, therefore, be resolute and not allow anyone to throw dust into their eyes," he cautioned.