The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) has declared an indefinite strike effective Thursday, 5 September 2019.

The teachers are angry about the failure of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Public Services Commission to promote them.

NAGRAT President, Mr Eric Angel Carbonu told journalists at a press conference that: “The service condition of the GES and, indeed, the public service, grants that a teacher is eligible for an interview after serving on his or her current rank for four years”.

“Due to the myriad problems bedeviling the GES, teachers have stayed on their ranks for more than five to six years without being invited for promotion interviews.

“As a result of this, a huge backlog has been created. It is a nightmare to be transferred or seek a transfer in the GES these days”, he complained, explaining: “The GES is unable to effect genuine transfer requests due to impediments placed in its path”.

“This has brought untold hardship and pressure on teachers in the service”, Mr Carbonu bemoaned, adding: “We call on the Public Services Commission to remove the obstacles it has placed in the path of the Ghana Education Service so that the GES can function”.

“The leadership of NAGRAT can longer fold its arms and watch teachers suffer such pain and neglect.

“All teachers in schools that have already reopened should lay down their tools and stay out of school”, he ordered.