NUGS Plead With Teacher Unions

Leaders of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) have appealed to teacher unions in the country to control the frequency of strike actions embarked upon in attempt to stimulate government response to grievances.

The union has stated that although lecturers may have legitimate claims, they should endeavor to rescind their decisions in certain instances due to the consequence of such industrial actions on students.

Their plea was hinged on a months-long strike the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) has embarked on to demand payment of their Book and Research Allowance, and another “indefinite strike” the University Teachers Association (UTAG) has also announced.

Sammy Dakwa Binfoh, President of NUGS, made the request at a stakeholders’ meeting between the executives of the student union and leaders of some teacher associations in Accra.

He said government has assured that grievances of teachers would be addressed but the student body must also engage the various unions to better understand specific concerns teachers have risen.

He stated: “we don’t have to depend solely on government information churned out by the media. We must meet with the stakeholders so that our own actions, in future, would be grounded on realities and not rumor.”

The president stated issues such as the supply of teaching and learning materials as well as prompt payment of government subventions must also be addressed in addition to settlement of fringe benefits for teachers.

He said extensive consultation between government and the respective unions on attempts to establish a National Research Fund was ideal.

However, he said, when government appears to have an entrenched position on the issue without paying attention to the views of teachers, the policy would continue to suffer resistance.

He added that NUGS would continue to plead with teacher unions so students do not suffer the effects of impasses between government and lecturers.

“We would collaborate with the teacher unions to ensure their grievances are resolved amicably.   We want to assure them that we are in the battle with them as they fight for what they deserve.” Mr. Binfoh noted.

Christian Okla Odoi, Deputy General Secretary, (NAGRAT) repeated delay in the release of capitation grant, delay in the implementation of the Second Tier Pension Policy for teachers, among other concerns at the secondary level.

He said teachers appreciate government assurance to address their needs but they would continue to press until such promises manifest in the lives of lecturers and students.