The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department is validating data on up to 51,000 teachers to address outstanding promotion arrears before October salary payments. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, confirmed the process on Friday, October 2, after talks between the government and striking teacher unions.
The validation exercise will determine a supplementary payment schedule for a certain group of teachers. Others are expected to see promotion arrears included in their October salaries. “From Monday, the Controller Accountant General will validate as he is already validating data of up to 51,000 persons. And a supplementary payment schedule will be provided for that category. And the other category will have it as part of their salaries in October,” Mr Iddrisu said.
The commitment followed negotiations with the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG). The three unions launched a nationwide strike that has disrupted teaching and learning in public schools.
Promotion arrears was one of three core issues raised by the unions. Mr Iddrisu assured that all promoted teachers would be placed on their new 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.
The validation process is scheduled to continue from Monday, October 5. The timing suggests the government aims to resolve the payment backlog swiftly to ease tensions with the unions and resume normal academic activities.
The strike has affected millions of students across Ghana, with calls increasing for a resolution. Mr Iddrisu said the government was working to address the outstanding issues raised by the unions and restore normal schooling as soon as possible.
The verification of data for tens of thousands of teachers is a logistical task that will require coordination between the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and the Ministry of Education. The supplementary payment schedule will clarify which teachers receive arrears separately and who will have them included in their next salary.
The outcome will be closely watched by teachers and unions, who have pushed for overdue payments and recognition of their promotions. The government’s pledge to meet the October 30 deadline is a clear deadline in ongoing negotiations.
According to Joy Online.
