Editorial: Government, Teacher Unions Must Dialogue To Get Pupils Back Into Classrooms

Ghana's three major pre-tertiary teacher unions – the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association (PRETAG) – are embroiled in a nationwide strike now in its second week since September 25, 2026. The unions initiated the action over unpaid promotion arrears and salary demands, which the government failed to address by a September 24, 2026 deadline.

The unions are demanding immediate payment of arrears from January 2026, automatic placement for teachers who passed promotion exams in December 2025 and February 2026, a new collective agreement and the implementation of a deprived-area allowance for teachers in underserved communities. The government contends that promoted teachers' salaries have been upgraded and that arrears will be paid starting October, while negotiations on additional demands proceed.

Yet, the strike has largely emptied classrooms, disrupting teaching and learning. While the unions have legitimate grievances, a prolonged strike poses significant risks to Ghana's education system, particularly for young children. The ongoing dispute threatens to disrupt the academic calendar, leaving classrooms empty and children without the necessary structured learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic already caused millions of Ghanaian children to miss school in 2020, with UNICEF reporting that nearly eight million children were partially absent during the pandemic. The country has since worked to restore the learning process. The 2026/2027 academic calendar now includes a 15-week first term, from September 8, 2026, to December 17, 2026.

Government and teacher unions must, therefore, resume negotiations with urgency and good faith. Neither side should underestimate the gravity of the situation. The government must honor its commitments and provide clear timelines for outstanding payments and negotiations, while the unions must acknowledge that each day of classroom absence represents lost instructional time for children.

This is not a contest of endurance, but a national education crisis demanding compromise. The children of Ghana cannot afford another disrupted school year. It is imperative that government and teacher unions dialogue, reach an amicable settlement, and return teachers to classrooms without further delay.