Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
Unpaid Aggrieved Teachers of Colleges of Education have revealed the emotional trauma they face as educators, with some even regretting their decision to pursue teaching as a profession.
The teachers, part of the 2022 batch from various Colleges of Education, picketed at the GES headquarters in Accra on Monday, June 23, demanding action on ten months of salary arrears and the failure to process their staff identification numbers.
In a departure from standard protocol, the GES opted to meet not only with union leaders but also with a broader group of the affected teachers. Public Relations Officer of the GES, Daniel Fenyi, said the approach was to foster transparency and ensure all concerns were heard directly.
However, in an interview Eastern Regional rep of the group, Prince Tenkorang shared the harsh realities of their situation, including relying on parents of students for basic necessities like food.
“It’s true that sometimes parents of our students have to provide us with foodstuffs before we can even eat,” he disclosed.
Tenkorang asserted that the prolonged unpaid period has taken a toll on young teachers, leaving them with second thoughts about their profession and feeling embarrassed about having to publicly demand their rightful payments. Having gone without pay for ten months, the executive questioned how they’ve managed to survive while their colleagues in other fields continue to advance.
“I love and have passion for the job I chose as my profession, but how can we work for ten months without pay? How do we survive while others in different fields progress?” he lamented.
The situation highlights the plight of teachers who are often revered for their role in shaping society, yet struggle to make ends meet. The emotional toll of being unpaid for an extended period is evident in the teachers’ reluctance to be seen as professionals, despite their dedication to their students and the education sector.
As the teachers continue to demand their unpaid salaries, they hope for a swift resolution to their predicament and a renewed appreciation for the vital role they play in Ghana’s education system.
