The ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers' Association of Ghana (CETAG) has taken a dramatic turn with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission's (GTEC) announcement to recruit new lecturers to replace those on strike. However, this move has been met with strong disapproval from Dr. Clement Apaak, MP for Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament's Education Committee. In this article, we will delve into the implications of GTEC's decision and explore the concerns raised by Dr. Apaak.
The CETAG strike, which began on June 14, has been a response to the government's delay in implementing the National Labour Commission's Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated service conditions. The teachers are demanding better working conditions, remuneration packages, and the payment of one month's salary for additional duties performed in 2022. Despite the government's efforts to resolve the impasse, the strike continues, with no end in sight.
GTEC's decision to recruit new lecturers has been seen as a misguided move by Dr. Apaak. He argues that this approach fails to address the underlying issues raised by CETAG and instead seeks to replace the striking teachers. This move, according to Dr. Apaak, is ill-advised and will only exacerbate the situation.
"The government's decision to recruit new lecturers is a very bad move. It ought to be withdrawn. The government must provide the needed resources to fulfill its commitments to the teachers and allow them to return to their duties," Dr. Apaak emphasized.
Dr. Apaak's concerns are not unfounded. The process of recruiting new lecturers is neither quick nor feasible within the proposed timeframe. The 2024 budget and the Mid-Year Budget Review do not make provisions for such recruitment. Moreover, the process of recruiting teaching staff is complex and time-consuming, involving various stages, including advertising, shortlisting, interviews, and vetting.
"We know that we passed the 2024 budget, and we've seen the Finance Minister present the Mid-Year Review. There are no allocations or estimations to cater for the recruitment of 2,500 lecturers. This cannot happen within the next two to three months—I can tell you that with authority," Dr. Apaak stated.
Furthermore, Dr. Apaak questioned the practicality of GTEC's plan to recruit 2,500 new lecturers. He pointed out that the education sector is facing numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient resources, and poor working conditions. Recruiting new lecturers without addressing these underlying issues will only create more problems.
"The process of recruiting lecturers is not something that can be done within two weeks or even a month. Clearly, it is not feasible," Dr. Apaak added.
CETAG's demands are not unreasonable. The teachers are seeking the payment of one month's salary for additional duties performed in 2022 and the application of agreed allowances given to public university staff to qualified CETAG members. These demands are in line with the National Labour Commission's Arbitral Award Orders and the negotiated service conditions.
In conclusion, GTEC's decision to recruit new lecturers amidst the CETAG strike is a misguided move. It fails to address the underlying issues raised by the teachers and instead seeks to replace them. The government must focus on negotiating with CETAG to resolve their concerns and provide the needed resources to fulfill its commitments to the teachers. Only then can the strike be resolved, and academic activities resume.
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