The ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), which started on June 14, has led to significant disruptions across the country’s education sector.
A coalition of teacher trainees in the Ashanti region is now calling for the temporary closure of all 46 colleges of education in Ghana due to the prolonged strike.
The strike is a response to the government’s failure to implement agreed-upon compulsory arbitration awards, leaving classrooms empty for eight weeks.
The trainees are expressing deep concerns over the negative impact on their academic progress and mental health. They are particularly distressed by the uncertainty of their situation, unsure whether to remain on campus or return home.
Manuel Opoku Duah, the group’s convener, highlighted the financial and emotional strain the strike is causing, with students feeling stranded and anxious about their future.
The trainees are also advocating for the implementation of the IN-IN-OUT system to allow level 400 students to return to campus, as their tenancy agreements are set to expire in October.
Moreover, they are facing financial difficulties due to the nonpayment of their six-month trainee allowances, which are crucial for their living expenses.
The group is urging authorities to address these issues promptly, emphasizing that the ongoing uncertainty is unsustainable and demanding an end to the crisis.
