Unnecessary Taxing Of Teachers Allowance? Teacher Unions Threatens GES
The Teacher Unions in Ghana has warned the Ghana Education Service (GES) over unnecessary taxing and pertinent issues bothering teachers.
The Teacher Unions in a release issued on Thursday, November 21, 2024 as sighted by Myfrichy.com, stated that their attention have been drawn to some disturbing, irritating and worrying issues, which if not addressed by Saturday, November 30, 2024 can disturb the industrial environment.
According to the Teacher Unions, they agreed with the Ghana Education Service (GES) through the the signing of the Collective Agreement in May 2024, that both parties do recognize and agree to promote the growth and development of cooperation, trust, respect and fairness and endeavour to uphold these values in the formulation of policies and standards of management in the GES.
They further stated that they further agreed and understood that Management shall negotiate with the Unions before making changes to the existing benefits and practices which have been mutually accepted by both parties.
Per the letter seen by Myfrichy.com, the GES have failed to honour some of the terms both parties agreed on.
These include among others:
- TAXING THE COMPLIMENTARY DIGITAL INSTRUCTION
SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
The government should heed our call, not to Tax the Complimentary Digital Instruction Support Allowance as agreed earlier. Should the government not heed and goes ahead with the deduction, Leadership of the Teacher Unions would not be able to control the actions or inactions of their members, and the Ministry of Education may have itself to blame, in the end. - TRANSITIONAL PERIOD FOR ALL TEACHERS WHO WANT TO OPT OUT OF TVET SERVICE TO GES
The Ministry of Education and GES must provide a transitional period for all Teachers who want to opt out of TVET Service to GES for them (Teachers) to do so without any restrictions, fear or intimidation. We wish to sound further that the Teacher Unions would resist the forced implementation of the TVET Service by roping teachers against their will, most of whom are members of Teacher Unions into the membership of the Service by fiat, without any Transitional Period. - CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
It is sad to note that today, on daily basis, teachers are confronted with all kinds of threats and compulsion by some School Heads and District Directors to attend Continuous Professional Development Workshops at exorbitant fees with the tacit support of some GES staff who compel teachers under duress. This consistent exploitation, intimidation, and undue pressure from some GES staff MUST STOP NOW!
The Teacher Unions concluded that if the GES fails to heed their call and expectations on or before SaturdayNovember 30, 2024, the GES will have themselves to blame.
Source: Myfrichy.com
