A public reaction report was conducted in the New Juaben North Municipality in relation to the strike declared on Wednesday by the three major Unions for Teachers, GNAT, NAGRAT and CCT which is centered on grievances relating to their conditions of service and other issues. The opinions obtained are as follows;
Nathaniel Peprah, a student at Oyoko Methodist Senior High, voiced his concerns saying, teachers being on strike has caused a hault in academic work which will likely bring a change in the academic calendar, dragging the term longer than it should, and urged the government to address the grievances brought before them.
A parent at Suhyen Miss Sabina Akuffo said the situation is affecting the final year students in preparation towards their final exams in July-August this year. She mentioned that her daughter is a final year student at Assesewah Senior High and said that they had just started their mock when the strike was initiated. As at now they have written only one paper due to the strike. And therefore asking the government to find a way to get teachers to return to their various classrooms so that academic work can continue.
Madam Charlotte Odame, a retired headmistress and resident of Oyoko stated that, teachers have long complained about bad working conditions but to no avail and is therefore pleading with government to put structures in place in making their work easier and to increase their salaries as well.
A driver at Akwadum, Mr. Yeboah mentioned that, he is pleading with government to address the issue because teachers are suffering. He said his younger brother is a teacher and mostly walks long distance to his place of work just so he can save some money to cater for his family. He continued by saying, even he as a driver is able to provide better for his family than his younger brother.
Miss Rita Deborah, a nurse at Jumapo said, is pleading with the government to address their grievances because as at now the children are home doing nothing this will affect academic progress.
A trader at Asikasu Mrs. Anita Mensah said, she believes that without the teachers the children will not succeed in life and therefore asking the teachers to return to classroom whiles their union leaders continue negotiations with the government so that the final year students will not suffer.
A mechanic Mr. Kwesi Marfo at Effiduase said, it is time the government addresses some of these grievances because teachers are hardworking but when it comes to salary issues they are not paid their worth.
Mr. Kwame Amoani, a farmer at Asokore expressed concerns as to why the teachers waited till the students were just months away from their final exams to go on strike. He said the teachers should consider the final year students and resume work, whiles executives continue negotiations.
Despite some members initially reporting to work unaware of the strike, they promptly ceased activities upon receiving notification from their respective unions.
Story by
Elizabeth Ansaah
Municipal Information Officer.