The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), says the directive by the Ghana Education Service to deduct 10% of the basic salaries of members who stay in government bungalow as rent is “unfortunate.”
The decision according to GNAT is against the spirit letter of Collective Agreement enacted between the GES and teacher unions in the service in August 2020.
This comes after a letter signed and released by the Western Regional Director of Education, Felicia Agyeibea Okai, had explained that the said 10% deduction forms part of government’s efforts to streamline the anomalies with regard to the payment of rent for occupying schools or government bungalows.
The GES notified teachers of plans to effect the deduction from this month, March 2022.
However, GNAT in a response through a statement believes any attempt by the GES to implement the directive will jeopardize the prevailing industrial peace on the educational front.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to remind the Ghana Education Service of
Section 21(i) of the Collective Agreement, 2009 which deals with Staff Accommodation and states, without equivocation, that Headmasters, Assistant Headmasters, Senior Housemasters, Housemasters, Principals, Vice Principals, Headteachers, Assistant Headteachers, Frontline ADs and Guidance and Counseling Officers in 2nd Cycle institutions shall be provided with free residential accommodation (emphasised), and that, where there is no residential accommodation, the Service shall be responsible for the rents of the officer(s) concerned.”
The teachers association again highlighted on the Section 19 of the Collective Agreement, August 2020, “which deals with Staff Accommodation and states, again without equivocation, that accommodation may be provided (for) the following category of staff: Headmasters, Assistant Headmasters, Senior Housemasters, Housemasters, Principals, Vice Principals, Headteachers, Assistant Headteachers, Frontline Deputy Directors and Guidance and Counseling Officers and Chaplains and Imams in Second Cycle Institutions.”
It further warned that if the directive is a deliberate, calculated attempt by the Ghana Education Service to renege on stipulations in the Collective Agreement, it would not hold because it is a breach of union trust, and an unfair labour decision or practice.
“We are therefore by this write up demanding, that the Ghana Education Service withdraws this action or move to ensure serene and conducive teaching and learning in the schools, for the collective benefits all. Anything short of this, could be risky, and we may not be able to contain it,” the GNAT statement added.
Below is the full statement
