Parents in the Sunyani Municipality of the Bono Region have appealed to the government to urgently engage the leadership of the various teacher unions to resolve the issues that have triggered the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike.

The parents are worried that the continued strike action could disrupt the academic calendar and negatively affect students, particularly candidates preparing for major examinations.

According to them, while they recognise the concerns raised by the teachers, both the government and the unions must intensify negotiations to find a lasting solution in the interest of students.

Oppong Gyasi, a parent, stressed that education is a shared responsibility and called for an immediate resolution of the impasse to prevent further disruption to the academic calendar and safeguard students’ education.

“We understand that the teachers have their concerns, but our children should not be made to suffer because of disagreements between the government and the unions. We are appealing to both sides to return to the negotiating table,” he pleaded.

Another parent, Benewaa Joyce, also appealed to the government to treat the matter as a priority and ensure that the affected teachers return to the classrooms as soon as possible.

“We want the government to consider the impact of the strike on students and give the teachers what they want so that our children can go back to school.”

Strike action bites hard

As the teachers’ strike entered its fourth day on Thursday, October 1, 2026, a visit by this reporter to selected schools in the Sunyani Municipality revealed the extent to which the industrial action had disrupted teaching and learning.

The normally busy school compounds were unusually quiet, with empty classrooms and limited activity as students stayed away from school following the commencement of the strike.

At some of the schools visited, the only staff members seen on the premises were head teachers, while classrooms remained empty and students were absent. The situation underscored the immediate impact of the strike on academic activities across the municipality.

At Abesim SDA, Sunyani Mmeredane M/A, South Ridge Model, Ridge Experimental, Stadium Basic, Boahen Korkor and Nyamaa Basic schools, teaching and learning activities had virtually come to a standstill, with no classroom teachers available to conduct lessons.

Keep classrooms open

Despite the nationwide teachers’ strike, the Bono Regional Education Directorate has directed head teachers to keep their respective schools open to ensure that essential administrative and official duties continue.

Luke Mensah, the Bono Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), disclosed that the directive was intended to prevent the complete shutdown of school premises and ensure that administrative responsibilities were not disrupted during the industrial action.

He explained that although teaching and learning activities had been affected by the strike, head teachers were expected to report to work and keep the schools operational for official purposes.

The directive, he stressed, would also allow school authorities to attend to administrative matters and other essential responsibilities that require their presence.