The Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress is to implement a five-year strategic plan, 2015-2020, to reflect changing trends in global education and trade Unionism.

Mr Ralph A. Apaaya, General-Secretary of TEWU, announced this at a three-day leadership retreat in Ho to discuss and craft the Plan under the auspices of Education International.

The 32,000 member TEWU, established in 1958 with membership cutting across a large number of public sector institutions, is also affiliated to the Canadian Teachers Association (CTA) and Public Service International.

Mr Apaaya said its strategic Plan would focus on leadership, functional effectiveness, strengths, weaknesses and effective collaboration with other unions in the education sector to address issues of quality delivery in the public sector, premised on stability and peaceful industrial atmosphere.

Mr Emmanuel Fatoma, Chief Coordinator, Educational International Africa Region, said there was the need for TEWU to take cognizance of, and position itself within the context of emerging international relations, privatization and new labour laws and Information Communication Technology (ICT) in order to remain relevant.

That he said, called for introspection and assessment of its strengths and weakness and rebranding.

Meanwhile, TEWU has urged its 1,500 strong members in the Polytechnics to rescind their decision to breakaway.

Mr Peter Lumor, National Chairman of the Union, made the appeal at a leadership retreat in Ho to fashion out a five-year strategic Plan of the Union.

“We still need them," Mr Lumor said when answering questions by Journalists regarding the intended breakaway.

He said the 32,000 strong Union must maintain its unity because every single member is relevant.

Mr Lumor expressed fears that if its Polytechnics members should break away they could expose themselves to “many things.”

“TEWU is fighting the course of workers’ rights in the polytechnics and therefore encourages all the workers of the Polytechnics to stay together for the collective interest of members” a statement signed by Mr Raph A. Apaaya, General Secretary and Mr Peter k. Lumor National Chairman of TEWU said.