Public basic schools across the Ashanti Region have been severely affected by the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike, with classrooms remaining empty as major teacher unions demand the implementation of outstanding conditions of service and payment of unpaid allowances.
Several schools visited on Tuesday, including Bantama Presby KG, Primary and JHS; Bantama Methodist School; Bantama St. Anthony R/C Primary and JHS; K.O Methodist Primary A and B; Asem Cluster of Schools; and St. Cyprins Anglican Primary A and B and JHS A, were found deserted.
Both teachers and students were absent from the schools as the industrial action entered its second week.
GNAT, NAGRAT and PRE-TAG Lead Teachers’ Strike
The nationwide industrial action began on September 25, 2026, following a joint declaration by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRE-TAG).
The unions say their decision to strike is linked to unresolved concerns over teacher promotion, salary adjustments, arrears and allowances.
According to the teacher unions, about 80,000 teachers successfully passed their professional promotion examinations, but only approximately 6,000 have been placed on the appropriate salary scales.
The unions claim that the affected teachers continue to receive their previous salaries and have not received the related back pay and salary arrears since January 2026.
Deprived-Area Allowance Remains Unpaid
Another major concern raised by the teacher unions is the outstanding 20 percent deprived-area allowance.
Teachers posted to designated deprived areas are reportedly still waiting for the incentive, which forms part of the unions’ demands for improved conditions of service.
Teachers’ Strike Disrupts Academic Calendar
The ongoing strike has disrupted teaching and learning across public schools, with final-year students facing particular difficulties as they prepare for their examinations.
Some students have turned to private tutoring and community-organised extra classes to continue their studies while schools remain closed.
The situation has also created additional financial pressure for parents who are paying for private lessons to prevent their children from falling behind academically.
One Form One student receiving private lessons in Kumasi expressed concern about the disruption, saying students were struggling to continue with the curriculum without regular classroom instruction.
Final-year students have also raised concerns about preparing for examinations without professional guidance from their teachers.
One Form Three student said self-directed learning had become difficult and explained that the student’s parents had been forced to hire a private tutor to help keep up with schoolwork.
Students Call for End to Ghana Teachers Strike
With the Ghana teachers’ strike continuing into its second week, students have appealed to the government to engage the teacher unions and resolve their outstanding concerns.
They want the government and teacher unions to reach an agreement quickly to allow public schools across Ghana to reopen and normal teaching and learning to resume.
The prolonged industrial action has renewed concerns about the impact of unresolved teacher salary arrears, promotion issues and unpaid allowances on Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
Source: newsthemegh.com