The Ghana National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has given a five-day ultimatum to the Asuogyaman Education Directorate and the headmaster of Akwamuman Senior High School, demanding the immediate reinstatement of salaries for certain teachers whose July/August payments have been withheld. This ultimatum arises from allegations against Headmaster Anim-Addo Asuoko, who reportedly penalized several teachers by withholding their salaries due to their absence from a Professional Learning Community (PLC) session.
NAGRAT contends that the headmaster’s actions exceed the authority granted under the Ghana Education Service’s code of conduct, which does not permit salary suspensions or the requirement of apology letters for teachers who miss PLC meetings. The PLC initiative, introduced nearly eight years ago, is designed to foster teachers’ continuous professional development and skill enhancement, with attendance not intended to impact their salaries.
At a press briefing on October 25 at NAGRAT’s Eastern Regional Secretariat in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Chairman, Awoonor-Yevu Godwin, denounced the headmaster’s actions as “disheartening” and counterproductive, asserting that such punitive measures foster a hostile work environment and diminish teacher morale.
NAGRAT is urging a prompt resolution to the situation, warning that further action may be taken if the salaries are not reinstated. He emphasized that headmasters lack the authority to withhold teachers’ salaries due to non-attendance at PLC sessions, calling the situation both unfair and detrimental to teacher morale.
The association is demanding that the headmaster of Akwamuman SHS rescind his decision and lift the embargo on the teachers’ salaries. NAGRAT also urges various Municipal and District Directors of Education to refrain from victimizing teachers who do not attend Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and PLC sessions.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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