The Minority in Parliament has asked the Ghana Education Service (GES) to close down all public basic schools if the government fails to address concerns of striking teachers within three days.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, Deputy Ranking Member for the Committee on Education, Dr. Clement Apaak charged the government to immediately address the concerns of the teachers.
“As we speak today, close to seven million students from kindergarten through primary school to junior high school and secondary schools are currently not benefiting from teaching and learning. Clearly, this is as the result of the government’s inability to meet its obligation and be proactive in addressing the needs and demands of labour unions including the teachers.
“We have seen a circular from the Ghana Education Service directing managers of schools to take control of safety and security of students. Clearly, that cannot be enough if you consider that one head teacher alone cannot take care and secure the safety of an entire school,” Builsa South MP disclosed.
He continued: “So we want to urge the government to immediately address the concerns of teachers. So that they can go back to the classrooms without further delay. If this goes on within two to three days it will be advisable for the GES to direct that the schools are closed down for the safety and security of the students.”
The Deputy Ranking Member further stated that despite the call by the Minority side, it is incumbent on the government to address the needs of the teachers.