Approximately 80% of students at the SDA College of Education in Koforidua Asokore have left campus due to the protracted strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
The industrial action, which began on June 14, is in response to the government’s refusal to implement CETAG’s arbitral award and conditions of service.
The situation deteriorated further when the government decided to freeze the July salaries of CETAG members, prompting a complete withdrawal of their services.
As a result, the SDA College of Education has seen a mass exodus of students.
A visit to the campus revealed that only a few students, mostly first-year students, remain. Lecture halls were deserted, with some being utilized by Senior High School students for their studies. Male students were seen playing volleyball, expressing their indifference to the lecturers’ absence.
Sakyi Sampson Junior, the SRC President of SDA College of Education, stated that 80% of the students have left, while others are stranded on campus.
“This strike has lasted for over a month. When it first began, we thought it would last only a week, but unfortunately, it has extended to over six weeks,” he said.
He added, “Even today, as we have a council meeting by CETAG, we don’t know what the outcome will be. My students are stranded. I can say that about 80% of students are home now, which is a problem for us.
All activities have ceased—SRC, college activities, and so many things are not going on. We urge the government to come to the negotiation table with CETAG and sort everything out so we can return to campus.”
Kyere Phinihas, former SRC Organizing Secretary, noted that many fourth-year students have been unable to complete their dissertations due to the lack of supervision from striking lecturers.
“We haven’t had any interactions with our lecturers, and we don’t have any course outlines or manuals to depend on for learning.
Additionally, level 400 students are working on their project work, and these lecturers are the same ones we need to engage with for guidance. Our project work has been halted.
Some students are even at chapter one, and some have not yet discussed their project work with their supervisors. This strike is really affecting students, especially us level 400 students who are off-campus.”
Meanwhile, female students have expressed frustration over the disruption caused by the strike and are urging the government to quickly address the situation.
Despite the strike and the students’ inability to finish their project work, the college has scheduled its graduation ceremony for August 1, 2024. Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is set to attend as the Guest of Honor.