In response to the ongoing industrial action by various unions within the educational sector, the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have announced the closure of their basic schools.
The closure, which was confirmed in an official statement issued by both institutions, will take effect from Tuesday, January 30, 2024. The decision to close down the basic schools comes as a result of the industrial action declared by the Teachers and Educational Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TEWU-TUC), the Senior Staff Association – Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG), and the Ghana Association of University Administrators.
The statement from KNUST, issued on Thursday, stated, “I write to inform the University Community and the general public that the KNUST Basic School is being closed down, effective Tuesday 30 January 2024 until further notice.” A similar statement was also released by the University of Ghana authorities.
The closure of the basic schools is a response to the nationwide strike declared by at least four teacher unions demanding the payment of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
The unions, which include the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU), and Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), have taken this action due to the government’s inability to meet the deadline for their demands.
The strike follows the expiration of the June 30 deadline that the unions had given the government. The unions are collectively demanding the payment of the COLA, which they believe is necessary to address the rising cost of living and improve the welfare of teachers and educational workers.
With the closure of the basic schools in the University of Ghana and KNUST, students and parents are likely to be affected.
The universities hope that the closure will put pressure on the government to meet the unions’ demands and bring an end to the ongoing strike.
Both universities have assured the public that they will closely monitor the situation and provide updates regarding the reopening of their basic schools. In the meantime, students and parents are advised to stay informed through official communication channels of the respective institutions.
By Vincent Kubi