Accra: Intelligence suggests that a group of teachers within the Ghana Education Service (GES) on the Deputy Director rank is preparing to hold a press conference and subsequently picket at the Ministry of Education. They aim to express their dissatisfaction over what they perceive as a failure by H. E. John Dramani Mahama to fulfill a campaign promise made during the 2024 elections.
According to Ghana Web, teachers raised concerns with John Dramani Mahama about the stagnation of the Deputy Director and Director II grades within the GES, which have been unresolved for many years. These positions are crucial as Director II and Director I grades are established ranks, but without vacancies in the management positions, promotion is impossible. This has led to widespread frustration among teachers who have remained at the Deputy Director grade for extended periods.
During meetings with teacher unions, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (Pre-TAG), Mahama assured that the stagnation issue would be addressed once he assumed office. However, despite these assurances, some teachers feel disillusioned, claiming that promotions are being handled selectively, allegedly favoring those with political connections or the means to pay for advancement.
In response to these ongoing grievances, Mahama, through the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, established a committee to develop a framework for addressing these challenges. The committee, chaired by Mr. Kwami Alorvi, included representatives from various educational bodies and unions. They recommended decoupling the ranks of Director II and Director I from management positions, allowing for promotions based on merit and without the necessity of holding a management role.
The committee's proposals, which were presented to the Minister of Education, aimed to ensure that teachers could progress in their careers and receive corresponding benefits. The recommendations also sought to improve retirement packages and reduce frustration among teachers by offering a clear path for career advancement.
John Mahama's intervention was further solidified by a directive from the presidency, affirming the committee's recommendations. This directive emphasized the need for a merit-based career framework within the GES, allowing eligible Deputy Directors to be promoted irrespective of their current roles. It was expected that the Public Services Commission would work closely with the GES to implement these changes.
Despite these efforts, the delay in implementing the recommendations has caused anxiety among teachers, particularly those nearing retirement. The source suggests that while Mahama has fulfilled his promise, challenges remain in the execution phase, leading to continued unrest among the teaching fraternity.
In conclusion, while John Dramani Mahama has taken significant steps to address the concerns of teachers, the delay in implementation has strained relations. Teachers are encouraged to work through their unions to expedite the process and avoid actions that could undermine the progress made so far.