Teachers in Accra return to the classrooms

Accra, March 14, GNA - Teachers in the Accra Metropolis returned to the classrooms to teach on Monday after their last week's discontent following their migration onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) in February.

Mr William Adjaaye, Headmaster of Holy Trinity Cathedral Senior High School, told the Ghana News Agency that the school was in session normally.

He said the school participated in the inter-schools sports competition last week and normal academic work had resumed with teachers actively going about their duties. Mrs Agnes Oppong, Headmistress of Bishop Mixed School, said there was no strike action by teachers last week since they did not receive any information from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) to embark on strike. Other schools visited by GNA included Accra High School and Accra Girls Senior High School where normal school session was going on smoothly.

Government on Friday agreed to award all teachers of the Ghana Education Service (GES) a 93Teachers Retention Premium" (TRP) of 15 per cent with effect from March 11, 2011.

The premium shall be enjoyed by all professional and non-professional teachers of the GES.

The negotiation with the Government followed general dissatisfaction of teachers with their salaries when they were migrated onto to the SSSS.

They embarked on a series of demonstrations throughout the country while the Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) called a strike to protest against the quantum of money they had received. NAGRAT has since called off the strike.