Teachers from 2022 Colleges of Education Batch to Spend Night at GES Headquarters Over Unpaid Salaries and Delayed Staff IDs

Picketing Teachers from the 2022 Cohort Vow to Spend Night at GES Headquarters Over Unpaid Salaries and Delayed Staff IDs

 A group of aggrieved teachers from the 2022 cohort of Colleges of Education graduates has staged a protest at the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters in Accra, demanding the immediate payment of their long-overdue salaries and the release of staff identification numbers that have been delayed for several months.

The teachers, frustrated by prolonged delays, have resolved to spend the night at the GES premises as a show of their determination to have their grievances addressed.

The group gathered at the GES headquarters on Monday, June 23, submitting a formal letter that clearly outlined their concerns and requests. However, despite waiting patiently for over two hours, the teachers say they received no official response or engagement from any GES representatives. This lack of communication heightened tensions, prompting the police to intervene.

Upon arrival, police officers issued the protesting teachers a three-minute ultimatum to disperse. When the teachers declined to comply, the officers resorted to forcibly removing them from the premises. Even so, the group remains undeterred and committed to continuing their protest until their demands are met.

Leaders of the protest have indicated plans to escalate their action by submitting a petition to the Ministry of Finance and subsequently marching to Parliament to bring national attention to their plight. 

“When Members of Parliament enter the building, we want to ensure they are fully aware of the challenges the government is causing us through the withholding of our salaries and the delay in issuing our staff IDs,” one protest leader said. 

“We have decided to stay here overnight so that tomorrow morning, we can proceed to the Finance Ministry with our petition and then move to Parliament.”

The teachers’ demonstration highlights the deep frustrations experienced by newly trained educators who have yet to receive their salaries or official staff identification, both of which are crucial for their professional status and financial security. 

The delays have caused significant hardship for these teachers, many of whom rely on their salaries to support themselves and their families.

This protest also sheds light on broader systemic issues within the education sector regarding the timely processing of payments and administrative documentation for teaching staff. 

The teachers’ demands underscore the importance of efficient government action to address these bottlenecks and ensure that educators are fairly treated and supported.

As the protest continues, many are hopeful that the government will respond promptly to resolve these matters, allowing the teachers to focus on their essential role in shaping the country’s future through education.