Newly posted teachers picket at GES, threaten to boycott classes over unpaid salaries

Hundreds of newly posted teachers have issued a warning. They will not return to classrooms when basic schools reopen on May 6. This is unless their salaries are paid by then.

Many teachers have not received salaries for over eight months. They picketed at the Ghana Education Service (GES) headquarters on Wednesday morning. They demand urgent action regarding their unpaid salaries. Some teachers still lack staff identification (ID) numbers.

One protesting teacher stated, “We are College of Education graduates who have been employed.” He added, “We’ve worked for eight months and we have our staff ID.” Some colleagues do not even have an ID. The teachers urge the government to expedite these processes.

The frustration among the teachers is growing. They may not return to school if their demands are ignored. One teacher said, “In May, we want to receive our salary.” He warned that more protests would occur if they do not get paid.

The teachers fund their own protests and plan to continue until they are paid. “We borrow and solicit funds to be here,” one teacher explained. “We won’t stop until what is ours is given to us.”

Another teacher expressed concern about leadership decisions affecting them. He said, “What happens here will inform our next decision about teaching.”

Bruce, another teacher, shared his experience of not receiving pay for eight months. He started work on September 10 last year but has seen no salary since then. His name appeared on the payment voucher initially but disappeared later.

Bruce found out that their documents were not submitted properly for payment processing. He described the situation as "very bad" and "pathetic." Some colleagues in other regions are being paid while they face delays without clear reasons.

He highlighted the mental toll this situation has taken on them. Financial stress causes significant burnout among teachers, he noted. “You go home after school, and there’s nothing to eat,” he said.

Bruce accused the Ministry of Finance of spreading misinformation about their status. He mentioned that a former Director of Education confirmed financial clearance was given before leaving office.

The teachers are calling on the Ministry of Education, GES, and the Ministry of Finance for quick action. They noted that the salary processing portal has just opened and expect entries to be completed this week.

“We are not leaving until we have our salaries this May,” one teacher declared firmly. He added, “We cannot continue for nine months without pay.”