‘Teachers’ Demands Are Legitimate’ – National Council of PTAs Backs Pre-Tertiary Teacher Unions’ Strike

By Dominic Duut | Noblenews

The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NC-PTAs), Ghana, has thrown its weight behind the ongoing nationwide strike by pre-tertiary teacher unions, insisting that the demands of teachers are legitimate and justified.

In a solidarity statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Council said it stands in full solidarity with teachers and urged government to take urgent steps to address the concerns that triggered the industrial action.

The statement was issued under the theme: *“No Nation Can Rise Above the Welfare and Quality of Its Teachers.”*

The strike, which began on September 25, 2026, was declared by the three pre-tertiary teacher unions – the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-GH).

The unions are protesting over the failure to conclude a new Collective Agreement, delays in placement of promoted teachers onto the right scale, unpaid promotion arrears, and the non-implementation of the 20 percent Deprived Area Allowance, among other issues.

The NC-PTAs said the industrial action was not sudden, but a result of years of unfulfilled promises and abandoned Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), which has created a deep credibility gap between government and teachers.

“Despite assurances from government, there is a deep credibility deficit. Years of unfulfilled promises and abandoned MOUs have left teachers with no option but to strike for their bread and butter issues,” the statement said.

The Council described the Ghanaian teacher as a national asset whose welfare must be protected, adding that investment in teacher welfare is an investment in national security and future prosperity, not a burden on the national purse.

Keep Children At Home – NC-PTAs to Parents

The NC-PTAs further expressed concern about the impact of the strike on parents and pupils, particularly following the reopening of schools.

It noted that parents have spent their last resources to prepare their wards for school, buying uniforms, sandals, books, provisions, chop boxes and paying transportation fares, only for classrooms to remain without teachers.

“Every day without a teacher is a loss to the poor parent who spent his last cedi to prepare his child for school. This is not just a teacher crisis; it is a parental crisis, a family crisis,” the statement added.

The Council said the continuous absence of teachers from school premises also raises concerns about the supervision and safety of pupils and therefore advised parents to keep their children at home until the strike is called off.

The NC-PTAs has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene urgently to resolve the impasse and restore normal academic activities in public pre-tertiary schools.