Monday, 14 October

CETAG strike: Education Minister questions leadership refusal to return to classrooms despite signing an agreement

Education
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, has expressed concern over the refusal of the members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to return to the classrooms, despite having signed an agreement with the Ministry to do so.

CETAG members have been on strike for two months, leading to the Controller and Accountant General's announcement of a reduction in their salaries for the period they were absent.

Dr. Adutwum expressed disappointment with CETAG's leadership, noting that they had agreed in principle to resume teaching and had even signed the necessary documents to that effect.

However, after signing the agreement, CETAG leadership made a sudden reversal, citing the absence of the National Labour Commission at the said meeting as the reason for their change of heart.

The Minister questioned why CETAG would sign an agreement they had no intention of honouring, particularly given their role in training future leaders.

He emphasized that the agreement involved CETAG resuming teaching while the Ministry worked on resolving their concerns.

"How can you sign a document and then refuse to abide by it?" Dr. Adutwum asked, highlighting the inconsistency in CETAG's actions, especially considering they are educated individuals.

In a related development, Dr. Adutwum also revealed that the Cabinet has completed drafting documents on the law backing the Free Secondary School Education initiative.

 

 The draft will be presented to Parliament when it reconvenes next month. Dr. Adutwum, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Bosomtwe Constituency in the Ashanti Region, made these remarks during an interview on Accra-based Kessben FM on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah