GES appeals for calm as teachers in Tarkwa strike over alleged military brutality

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has appealed for calm among striking teachers in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality following the alleged assault of some teachers by military personnel.

The Service says investigations into the incident will begin immediately and has assured the public that any military officer found culpable will face the appropriate sanctions.

Public Relations Officer of the GES, Daniel Fenyi, disclosed this during a telephone interview with 3news’ Labour Affairs Correspondent in Accra on May 29.

Currently, members of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers within the Tarkwa Nsuaem enclave have completely withdrawn their services in protest over the alleged assault.

The affected teachers say they are deeply disappointed by what they describe as the silence and slow response from authorities following the incident.

National executives of the teacher unions have also directed their regional branches to escalate the matter in an effort to compel government intervention.

Sources within the municipality indicate that both the District and Regional Directors of Education have separately engaged the aggrieved teachers in attempts to ease tensions. However, the teachers remain resolute and appear determined to intensify their industrial action despite the engagements.

Speaking during the interview, Daniel Fenyi stressed that the Ghana Education Service strongly condemns the alleged assault on the teachers.

“Nobody has the right to physically assault or even verbally assault our teachers, and so Management completely condemns the assault,” he stated.

Mr Fenyi further appealed to the striking teachers to reconsider their decision and return to the classrooms in the interest of students and academic stability.

“It is peace that we would continue to urge while investigations are done and the culprits are brought to book,” he added.

However, the response from the GES has attracted criticism from the President of NAGRAT, Jacob Anaba, who argued that the Service has been too passive and slow in responding to the concerns raised by the assaulted teachers.

“We have not heard from the Director-General. If it had been a student who was assaulted like this, the whole country would have woken up. Our employer is not talking, and government is also not talking,” Mr Anaba lamented.

He further warned that the national leadership of the three pre-tertiary teacher unions may join the strike if swift action is not taken.

“The three pre-tertiary unions will take a decision. It is unfair. We have been battling with students who assault us, and now the military. Who is for us then? We are not safe in the school environment again,” he said.

The situation has heightened concerns over teacher safety and security within Ghana’s educational institutions, with stakeholders calling for urgent intervention to restore calm and confidence among educators in the municipality.

Education observers warn that the prolonged strike action could disrupt academic activities and negatively affect students preparing for examinations if the matter is not resolved quickly.