The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has withdrawn from the Professional Learning Community (PLC) activities.
The Professional Learning Community (PLC) program encompasses activities aimed at improving teacher professionalism and enhancing school teaching and learning activities.
NAGRAT, in a press statement, explained that Section 20 of Act 651 (the Labour Law) grants a maximum of 15 days of leave to every public service worker. The law states that “in any undertaking, every worker shall be entitled to leave for not less than 15 days with full pay in any calendar year of continuous service.”
According to NAGRAT, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has not clearly stated its policy on teachers’ annual leave, yet assumes the policy of leave days applies to holidays.
“Because of this lack of clarity, some heads of schools, district directors, and regional directors have introduced their own local measures to compel teachers who are on holidays to be present for PLC activities.”
They added that there have been instances where some heads of schools, without consulting the management of the Ghana Education Service, placed embargoes on the salaries of teachers for failing to participate in PLC activities while on holiday.
“In light of the above situation, NAGRAT calls on all its members to withdraw immediately from all PLC activities in schools until such a time that the management of the Ghana Education Service clarifies the situation with clear directives.”
“We also call on the Director-General to issue a clear policy on PLC activities with regard to teachers’ statutory leave as prescribed by law.”
They cautioned that “If the above unacceptable situation persists, we will have no option but to embark on industrial action to push home our legitimate demands.”
By: Sahidatu Nikoi