Government, teachers must continue to dialogue

For some time now the labour scene has witnessed a number of agitations, with some sections of workers either laying down their tools or threatening to do so.

Not too long ago, doctors carried out their threat to embark on an industrial action and we all were witnesses to the effect that it had on healthcare delivery across the country.

Then nurses also threatened to turn their back on public hospitals in protest against unpaid salaries for new nurses.

The latest to threaten a strike are three teacher unions, namely the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT).

Their threat is predicated on the failure of the government to pay their outstanding salary arrears and allowances, for which they have threatened to embark on strike by February 29, 2016 if the government, through the Ghana Education Service (GES), remains adamant.

But the GES remains adamant in its position that the government does not owe teachers any arrears and that all outstanding arrears for teachers who qualified had been paid by January 1, 2016.

The service has also said that the government has released GH¢1 million for the payment of all outstanding allowances and transfer grants for teachers.

Clearly, both the teachers and the government remain entrenched in their positions and are seemingly unwilling to make any concessions.

It is the considered view of the Daily Graphic that in all this, dialogue must be the appropriate tool to be deployed in ironing out the differences between teachers and the government.

This is in view of the negative impact that a nation-wide strike by teachers could have on our educational system.

We, therefore, implore both parties to continue to dialogue and find amicable solutions to the impasse.

That is why we are urging both the government and teachers that in all that is done, the national interest must be the guiding principle.

They should consider the impact of a strike on our primary, junior high and senior high schools.

While it is normal for such disagreements to arise between organised groups and the government, it must not get to the point where irreparable damage will be the outcome.

That is why we suggest to both parties to ensure that a mutually beneficial outcome is reached.

The Daily Graphic appeals for caution in the negotiations, in order not to incur the ire of the parties at the table.

The leadership of the parties must avoid intemperate language in order to facilitate uninterrupted negotiations, since anything to the contrary will defeat our objective of training the best hands for the development of the country.