(AUDIO): CETAG demands market premium; threatens longest strike action ever
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana has given an ultimatum to the government to institute ‘market premium’ and ‘book and research allowances’ for its members.
According to the President of CETAG, Prince Obeng-Himah, the government has up to October–when the academic year begins–to negotiate these benefits for them or they would withdraw their services indefinitely.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Mr Obeng-Himah noted that CETAG members remain the only category of tertiary education instructors who do not enjoy the market premium and book and research allowances.
He is not happy with the “retention premium” they receive which he said is meant for pre-tertiary teachers.
He revealed that past and present governments have denied the CETAG members the opportunity to be at par with the counterparts in the universities and polytechnics in terms of these allowances.
“There comes a moment in the life of a person when he must learn to say enough is enough and CETAG is at that point today…if the government does not negotiate market premium and book and research allowance for CETAG, members will embark on the longest and indefinite industrial action Ghana is yet to witness,” Mr Obeng-Himah stated.
He also revealed that with about a month for the academic year to take off, CETAG members are yet to see the plan on the new four year degree programme to be offered in the colleges of education.
“CETAG members are yet to see the curriculum let alone be orientated on it to be abreast with the content. Our worry is that this undue delay would affect the effective implementation of the curriculum,” he said.
He also touched on the vacuum in the administration of the Colleges of Education; highlighting that since February 2017 when the Governing Councils were dissolved, new ones haven’t been set up to replace them.
This, he explained causes delays in decision making as well as the promotion of deserving staff.
Source: Ghana| Myjoyonline.com
