Takoradi, Oct. 11, GNA - Several public primary schools in Sekondi-Takoradi on Tuesday closed at 10:00 hours due to the persistent refusal of many teachers to resume work.

The teachers have withdrawn their services since September 29 and have vowed not to return to the classrooms until the government paid their salary arrears.

Some of the schools included Bishop Essuah Catholic Primary, Axim Road, Bethel, Seventh Day Adventists, Crusaders, Anaji STMA, Anaji Timbod, Rev. G. Appekey, Bishop Amissah primary schools. After sitting in classrooms for over four hours waiting for teachers, who never came, the children loitered around and rode bicycles along major roads within the metropolis.

It would be recalled that the leadership of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) asked all striking and demonstrating teachers to return to their respective classrooms by October 3rd but the advice, had been ignored by the teachers.

The Western Regional GNAT again appealed to striking teachers within the metropolis to resume work but, while some in the junior secondary schools had returned, majority of them are still at home. Some head teachers of JSSs who spoke to the GNA on anonymity explained that they had to resume work because of the registration of pupils for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

They, however, appealed to their colleagues in the primary schools to resume work to enable them assist in grooming the future leaders of the nation.