A coalition of concerned teacher trainees in the Ashanti region is calling for the temporary closure of the 46 colleges of education across Ghana in response to the ongoing strike by their lecturers.
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) initiated the strike after the government failed to fulfill its commitment to implement outstanding compulsory arbitration awards.
As a result, students are facing significant disruptions to their academic progress, which is taking a toll on their mental health.
Convener of the group, Manuel Opoku Duah, expressed the students’ growing concerns: “We are in a state of limbo, not knowing whether to remain on campus or return home. Our academic journey has been halted, putting our future as qualified teachers in jeopardy. The financial strain is also affecting our mental well-being.”
With no resolution in sight, the teacher trainees find themselves stranded, unsure of what to do next.
“We are calling for the closure of the Colleges of Education and for students to be allowed to return home. It has been more than 21 days without any engagement with our teachers. Additionally, there should be consideration for implementing the IN-IN-OUT system, so that level 400 trainees can return to campus, as many of their tenancy agreements will expire in October. We cannot continue to live with this uncertainty,” Mr. Opoku Duah added.
Classrooms in all 46 colleges of education have been empty since CETAG began their industrial action on June 14. The strike, now in its eighth week, has brought academic activities to a standstill, leaving students frustrated and uncertain about their future.
The students are also troubled by the ongoing nonpayment of their six-month trainee allowances, which are essential for covering their living expenses.