The National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOFF) and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) have dismissed calls by members of the Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) to close down all Colleges of Education in response to the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
CETAG initiated a nationwide strike on June 14, citing the government’s failure to implement their arbitral awards and other conditions of service.
The 54-day old strike has disrupted academic activities, leaving most campuses deserted by students.
Members of TTAG called for the closure of the 46 colleges and an adjustment of the current academic calendar.
President of PRINCOF, Professor Samuel Atintono, speaking on Hot Edition on 3FM, said the decision to close the schools do not lie with the students.
“We understand the frustration the students are going through and the challenges it has come with, but the decision to close the schools involves a lot of procedures and is not an option in the offing”, he argued.
He added that a lot of work is being done to resolve the matter.
“The biggest problem of CETAG now is the disparity in salaries, and we are working on that. The process for the migration began in July, and in the next weeks, it will be completed, so we are doing everything possible to resolve the matter,” he assured.
The Deputy Director General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Francis K. E. Nunoo, emphasized that closing the colleges is not an option due to the severe financial implications.
The Executive Director for education think- tank, Institute for Education Studies, Peter Partey Anti is disappointed in what he says is the inaction of the student body in the country.
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CETAG strike: Teacher trainees petition principals to close down colleges of education
