Offinso teachers on strike

Offinso (Ash), July 9, GNA - Teachers in the Offinso District of Ashanti have begun a strike action to back their demand for the immediate transfer of Mrs Christiana Agyare-Boateng, the District Director of Education.

At a press conference at Offinso on Monday, the teachers said their decision was motivated by the lack of administrative ingenuity the District Director had exhibited in the discharge of her duty, impacting negatively on the promotion of quality education in the District. Mr A K A Berko, Secretary of the Local Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS), who read a petition of the teachers to the media, accused the District Director of "disrespect and mistrust" for employees.

The petition, which was copied to the office of the Regional Minister through the District Chief Executive, Regional Director of Education, Regional GNAT Chairman, the Offinso Traditional Council, Regional COHBS Chairman among others, mentioned poor mode of payment of responsibility allowances to head-teachers and assistants as well as non-payment of transfer allowances to deserving teachers as some of their grievances.

It also accused the Director of unnecessary embargoing of salaries of innocent teachers, unnecessary delays with regard to the processing of inputs, humiliation of teachers before parents and guardians, demotion of substantive head-teachers at will, lack of concern for the death of a teacher and disrespect for teachers with regard to time management.

According to the petition, the teachers had explored various avenues to discuss the issues with her but "she has made herself so unapproachable and adamant to suggestions that it is not worth holding any discussions with her".

"In view of the aforementioned unproductive and negative attitude of the Director towards the enhancement of education in the District: We, the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools and teachers in the District call for her immediate removal to save education in the District from total collapse", it added.

Mrs Belinda Serwaah Addo, Ashanti Regional Director of Education, who had rushed to the District to save the situation, together with the District Chief Executive, Mr Augustine Collins Ntim, urged the teachers to exercise restraint since their grievances and concerns had been forwarded to the Director General of Education. She told the teachers that, she did not have the power to transfer a district director of education and there was the need for them to go back to the classroom until the Director General resolved the issue.