Essa Sowe, the acting general secretary, highlighted that the GTU has on several occasions held emergency meetings with necessary stakeholders to present their demands so as to agree on something concrete, as he reads the proposed demands.
He added at the end of the last meeting, the following demands have been agreed:
- MoBSE to work on the re-classification of schools, including Senior Secondary Schools that are mature to be reclassified and 'Board' schools.
- PMO agreed for auxiliary staff working at Regional Education Directorates and schools operating double shifts to be compensated for their additional hours/services they work for. A Taskforce has been established by MoBSE to work on the
- modalities. In addition to this, the MoBSE shall work on the initial 50% Salary Increment that was not applied on ancillary staff including Caretakers. GTU to provide the list of affected staff.
- PMO acknowledges the need to review the percentages of double shift allowances for non-teaching staff at Regional Education Directorates. MoBSE stated that work is currently in progress.
- On the matter of delinking of Percentage-based Allowances, in respect of the 30% salary increment, PMO has noted the observation of the GTU and commits itself to engaging with the Ministry of Finance with a view to regularizing the case of affected staff. In lieu of re-linking percentage-based allowances graduate and retention allowance for teachers will be reviewed at an appropriate moment.
- MoBSE has considered the need to pay Invigilation Allowance for GABECE and WASSCE. However, together with relevant stakeholders including the GTU, it will work out the modalities for such.
- PMO has agreed for MoBSE to review and re-submit the new hardship expansion scheme initiated by MoBSE for consideration.
- PMO has agreed to open up to teachers in subvented schools to access the Civil Service Revolving Loan Scheme.” He read out.
These agreements were signed on the 8th of January by PS PMO, PS MoPS, PS MoBSE, AG. GS, GTU and President GTU.
Ismaila S. Ceesay, President of GTU stressed that teachers play a vital role in the society and therefore improving their work of life is a contribution to national development.
