Government has released an amount of GHS 1,579,078.20 to settle 2012 salary arrears of teachers across the country.

This was contained in a communiqué signed by stakeholders at a meeting by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ministry of Education, National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).

The decision comes after various teacher unions planned to strike from next week over government’s refusal to pay them their arrears despite the numerous promises.

Government Monday met the representatives of the teacher unions to convince them to halt the strike but leaders of the unions rejected the appeal and have vowed to strike unless their concerns are addressed immediately.

Meanwhile, arrears for 2013 and 2014 will, however, not be paid, until authorities validate all processes necessary for the facilitation of payment.

A report on the validation is expected to be submitted by 29 February 2016, after which the unpaid teachers are expected to “review their intended industrial action accordingly”.