NAGRAT communique

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 9TH NATIONAL DELEGATES’ CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATE TEACHERS (NAGRAT)
FROM 14TH TO 18TH AUGUST 2011 AT
WA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) at its 9th National Delegates’ Conference held in Wa from 14th to 18th August, 2011 under the theme “Workplace Peace: A Shared Responsibility of the Employer and the Employed” has critically discussed and wishes to communicate its decisions and recommendations on the issues outlined below:
CLASS SIZE
There is a correlation between class size and performance of students. An over-bloated class size hinders quality teaching and learning. Studies all over the world clearly indicate that a class size beyond 30 is a compromise on quality education.
NAGRAT therefore, calls on government for a clearly defined National Policy on class sizes particularly at the Pre-Tertiary level if the nation is to achieve the Millennium Development goals by the year 2015.

PROMOTIONS AND UPGRADING
Promotion is a right to be enjoyed by workers in this country in accordance with the Scheme of Service. An attempt to deny workers their promotion when due constitutes a violation of their rights and has the proclivity to disturb industrial peace and harmony. Over the years workers in the Ghana Education Service have suffered delays at best and outright denials at worst in their promotion schedules. Conference demands as a matter of right that the Ghana Education Service Council take steps to clear all backlog in terms of promotions, and place teachers on their right salary scales.
Congress further demands that the procedure for promotion should be reviewed to make it less cumbersome and less costly.
SUCCESSION PLAN
Conference observes that the Ghana Education Service has been inundated with officers in acting capacities. Such officers finds it difficult to take bold initiatives on pertinent issues. Conference therefore calls on government to as a matter of urgency confirm officers in acting capacity or replace them. We further call on government to replace as a matter of urgency all retired officers still at post.
TRANSFERS AND RELEASES
Conference has observed that unwarranted releases within the Ghana Education Service, has caused a lot of industrial unrests in many educational institutions. Though the Collective Agreement frowns on open releases they are common-place in our educational institutions.
Congress therefore requests the Ghana Education Service to organize Training Seminars and Workshops for Heads of Institutions on Collective Agreement and the Unified Code of Conduct.
2ND TIER PENSION CONTRIBUTION
The need to prepare adequately for our pension has been another big issue. Congress is deeply worried about the delay in the work of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority and further recommends that government releases all contributions of the Second Tier to Unions to invest for members.
CONCLUSION
With regards to the above stated issues NAGRAT calls for prompt action from government to ensure that industrial peace is maintained and the objectives of education realized in a peaceful atmosphere.

National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT)
Tel: 233-244548611
Fax:233 302403454
Website: nagratonline.org
Accra, GHANA