NC-PTAS supports striking teachers, urges Government to resolve dispute

The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NC-PTAS) in Ghana has shown solidarity with pre-tertiary teacher unions currently on strike, considering their demands as justifiable. In a statement on September 30, 2026, the council emphasized that no country can progress without prioritizing the welfare and professional standing of its educators.

It urged the government to swiftly address the root causes that triggered the strike. The NC-PTAS pointed out that teachers have been frustrated by years of unmet expectations and broken promises, citing issues such as delayed promotions, unpaid salary arrears, the lack of implementation of revised collective agreements, and the absence of a 20 percent allowance for deprived areas.

It argued that teachers should be viewed as a national asset rather than a financial burden, asserting that investing in teacher welfare translates to investing in the nation's future. The council pointed out the hardships the strike is imposing on parents, who have made considerable sacrifices to equip their children for school reopening.

These sacrifices include purchasing uniforms, footwear, books, provisions, chop boxes, and transportation, as well as funding extra classes for students preparing for the BECE and WASSCE. The NC-PTAS stressed that the prolonged closure of classrooms negatively impacts not only teachers but also parents and families. It appealed to parents to keep their children at home until the teachers return, citing safety concerns and the necessity to prevent additional expenses.

The council further implored President John Dramani Mahama to personally intervene and direct key government officials, including the Ministers of Finance, Education, Labour, Fair Wages and Salaries, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, and the Ghana Education Service, to collaborate towards an immediate resolution.

It called on politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other influential individuals to support the efforts to resolve the dispute. The NC-PTAS emphasized that Ghana must set aside political differences and concentrate on enhancing the welfare of teachers. It concluded that the country's future hinges significantly on the quality of education and those responsible for delivering it.