NAGRAT declares strike over GES’ inability to facilitate promotions

The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has declared a strike beginning today, Thursday over the inability of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Public Services Commission to facilitate their promotions.

According to the association, the failure of the Public Service Commission’s to amend their records has led to delays of promotional interviews.

At a press briefing today [Thursday], the President of the Association, Angel Carbonu called on their members who are in school to vacate the classrooms until further notice.

“The Service Condition of the GES and indeed the public service grants that a teacher is eligible for an interview after serving on his or her current rank for four years. Due to the myriad of problems bedevilling the GES, teachers have stayed on their ranks for more than five to six years without being invited for promotion interviews. As a result of this, a huge backlog has been created. It is a nightmare to be transferred or seek a transfer in the GES these days.”

“The GES is unable to effect genuine transfer requests due to impediments placed in its path. This has brought untold hardship and pressure on teachers in the Service. We call on the Public Services Commission to remove the obstacles it has placed in the path of the Ghana Education Service so that the GES can function. The leadership of NAGRAT can longer fold its arms and watch teachers suffer such pain and neglect. All teachers in schools that have already reopened should lay down their tools and stay out of school.”

A few weeks ago, NAGRAT threatened a strike over the Ghana Education Service’s decision to deduct GHc10 as insurance from teachers’ salaries.

The president of NAGRAT, Angel Carbonu at the press conference asked GES to refund all deductions to the affected teachers or face their wrath.