Statement: WASSCE will go ahead, despite strike threats

OUTCOME OF MEETING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND SOME EDUCATION SECTOR UNIONS AT THE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE ON SUNDAY 17TH MARCH, 2013

Government has received every assurance from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) that every arrangement pertaining to the conduct of the 2013 West African Senior Schools Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) is on course and therefore students, parents and schools should focus on their preparations for the examinations.

Government is appealing to all education sector workers, including teachers and non-teaching staff, to exercise restraint whilst every effort is being made to address the concerns raised by the unions.

The meeting between Government and the education sector unions was held this morning at the Flagstaff House and was chaired by the Chief of Staff. The Minister of Finance, Minister for Education, Minister for Employment & Labour Relations and the Minister of Information & Media Relations were in attendance. The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance and his staff, Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the two Deputy Director Generals of the Ghana Education Service (GES), two Deputies of the Controller and Accountant General provided relevant briefings.

The leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) honoured the invitation to the meeting. According to NAGRAT, their absence was due to the short notice.

Following government’s appeals and discussions, the meeting agreed that the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) will engage in further consultations with their partners and revert to Government. Government assures all parties that steps are being taken to address the concerns of the unions and appropriate directives were given to the relevant ministries and agencies.

SIGNED HON MAHAMA AYARIGA (MP) MINISTER