The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu has appealed to members of the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) to return to the classroom, while efforts were still underway to meet their demands.

“We need industrial peace and harmony on the campuses of learning. When you prolong your strike action, it does affect career planning and the career path development of the young people,” he stated. 

Mr Iddrisu made the appeal in Accra at a ceremony, where he handed over 20 Toyota Prado vehicles to the principals of 20 selected colleges of education to help improve their monitoring and supervision role.

“We are mobilising the GH¢41 million to pay. So, it is not as if we are not committed to pay,” the minister assured the striking teachers, adding that he had discussions with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on the issue.

He reminded the striking teachers that the government was committed to the welfare and development of education workers, assuring teachers that their arrears and allowances that could not be paid last month due to technical reasons had been fully paid alongside the December salary. 

“We have paid the allowances. Any of you who went to take your salary this month those two outstanding allowances that were not paid by the controller have been honoured, Mr Iddrisu said. 

He said the presentation of the vehicles was to demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of teachers and, in particular investing in teacher education. 

“As I have always noted, a good student is a function of a good teacher,” Mr Iddrisu added.