We will boycott teachers’ award – TEWU threatens

The Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (TEWU) says it would be compelled to boycott the 2018 World Teachers Day celebration in Ghana if the Ghana Education Service (GES) continue to sideline them in the teachers’ award scheme.

According to TEWU, which comprise of non-teaching staff within the GES, since the celebrations began in 1995, none of its members has been placed in the top three categories of the awards It claimed that its members are generally given low positions or sometimes are not recognized at all in the award scheme.

The group emphasised that the teaching and learning in schools are not only the preserve of teachers but TEWU inclusive.

Currently, the growing anger among its members indicates it will not participate in the October 5, 2018 celebrations.

The union says, it will petition the Ghana Education Service to consider these grievances or risk facing their wrath.

“Our proposals will indeed meet the consideration of the committee that is always set up to look at the schemes and award for the working people. If that is not done, it may be early to threaten but they shouldn’t be surprised if we are not part of the world teachers’ day in 2018 going forward,” General Secretary of TEWU, Augustine Karbo, said.

Meanwhile, Mr Karbo said since their migration unto the single spine pay policy, out of the 22 classifications, their members are benefiting from only 11. He said the Union has since 2011 fought for the remaining 11 classifications but has been unsuccessful.

“A non-teaching staff who goes to do first degree in Accounting, first degree marketing, auditing and when it comes to placement on the Colleges of Education, you’re placing the teacher above non-teaching [staff]. For whatever reason, we cannot understand,” Mr Karbo told TV3.

In another development, TEWU has lauded government for considering the need to revert mission schools to their original owners.

“I believe the missions have what it takes to manage the schools. They have what it takes to instill real discipline in our children and in the training of the future leaders of this country. We as teachers educational workers union, we support that idea,” he said.