Government Committed to Addressing Teachers’ Demands Through Due Process – Haruna Iddrisu
Education Minister says processes are underway to address teachers’ conditions of service, deprived-area allowance and salary arrears.
- Gov’t begins process to address teachers’ demands.
- 51,000 promoted teachers targeted for validation.
- Salary arrears expected by October 16.
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured striking teachers that the government has initiated processes to address their concerns, while stressing that the issues must be resolved through the appropriate procedures.
According to the minister, discussions are already underway on the three major demands raised by the teachers. These include the renewal of the expired collective agreement on conditions of service, payment of a 20 per cent deprived-area allowance, and the payment of salary arrears and correct salaries for teachers who have been promoted.
Government Ready to Pay Deprived-Area Allowance
Mr Iddrisu said the government was prepared to implement the 20 per cent deprived-area allowance but explained that the relevant data must first be validated.
He said the validation, involving the Ghana Statistical Service, was necessary to accurately identify teachers who qualify for the allowance.
The minister maintained that the process was being pursued to ensure that the payments were made to the appropriate beneficiaries.
Promoted Teachers to Receive Arrears
On the issue of promoted teachers, Mr Iddrisu said he had directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to expedite the validation of affected teachers.
He said the two institutions had been given a 4:00 p.m. deadline to validate at least 51,000 promoted teachers, with the aim of placing them on their appropriate salary grades.
According to the minister, the arrears owed to the affected teachers are expected to be paid by October 16, 2026.
Assurance to Striking Teachers
Mr Iddrisu reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the concerns raised by the teachers but urged stakeholders to allow the established processes to be completed.
He gave the assurance while speaking at the Ghana Teacher Prize event, popularly known as the Best Teacher Awards, where he addressed issues surrounding the ongoing concerns of teachers.
The minister said the government remained committed to engaging the teachers and working towards resolving their outstanding demands through due process.
From Martin Kwabena Ahwireng Quaye
