Gov’t validates 51,000 teachers’ records to clear promotion arrears

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department is validating records for up to 51,000 teachers as the government takes steps to clear outstanding promotion arrears.

He explained that the validation process will determine a supplementary payment schedule for one group of teachers, while another category is expected to receive their outstanding payments through their October salaries.

Speaking to the media on Friday, October 2, after a meeting between the government and striking teacher unions, Mr Iddrisu said the payment of promotion arrears was among three major concerns presented by the unions.

He said the government had committed to placing all teachers who have been promoted on their new salary grades by the end of October.

“The government team makes a commitment to the teacher union and to all teachers that we will honour our commitment of the new grades for all promoted teachers on or before 30th October,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu added that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department would continue the validation exercise from Monday, October 5.

He explained that records covering up to 51,000 teachers were already being validated, after which a supplementary payment schedule would be prepared for that category, while payments for the other group would be included in their October salaries.

The commitment is part of the government’s efforts to resolve concerns raised by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG).

The three unions embarked on a nationwide strike that has disrupted teaching and learning in public schools.

The Education Minister said government was working to resolve the outstanding matters and facilitate the return of normal academic activities.