Colleges of education reopening date extended
The National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education-Ghana (PRINCOF) has adjusted the reopening date of the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year.
It said while it had initially planned for an earlier date, the reopening date for the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year had been revised to January 27, 2025.
Checks by the Daily Graphic revealed that the initial reopening date was to have been (yesterday) January 13, 2025.
A circular signed by the General Secretary of PRINCOF, Dr Samuel Addae-Boateng, said the adjustment in the reopening date was necessary due to unforeseen circumstances that required members’ immediate attention.
Recipients
The circular was addressed to all staff, students and stakeholders of the colleges of education and copied to the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), principals, Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG) Colleges of Education Non-Teaching Staff Association of Ghana and affiliate universities, among other personalities.
“We are actively working to resolve these matters as quickly as possible. We understand that this change may cause some inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption it may cause.”
“Please be assured that we are committed to ensuring a smooth start of the academic year and are working diligently with the relevant authorities to address these issues effectively. We appreciate your continued cooperation,” the circular said.
The decision by the heads of colleges followed a recent General Meeting of PRINCOF held in Sogakofe on January 8, 2025.
WASSCE
A source told the Daily Graphic that the adjustment to the date was due to the late release of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for the admission of fresh students.
The adjustment to the reopening date is the second following a similar one in October last year. This was when the principals picked signals that CETAG was going on strike at that time.
CETAG, on December 23, 2024, indicated that it was embarking on strike in January 2025 over the failure of government to address its issues.
At an emergency National Council meeting of CETAG held on Monday, December 30, 2024, the association resolved to embark on an indefinite strike with effect from January 2, 2025.
It said the decision followed earlier notices of strike served on September 26, 2024 and December 23, 2024 of which the National Labour Commission (NLC) had failed to address the concerns raised.
“Generally, this action has become necessary due to the employer’s continuous violation of signed agreements and road maps on the outstanding compulsory arbitration award issued by the NLC on May 2, 2023.
Stakeholders
“Also after 42 meetings with CETAG, relevant stakeholders including the Office of the Vice-President, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, GTEC, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, PRINCOF, have failed to fully implement the NLC’s compulsory arbitration awards,” a statement issued by CETAG on December 31, 2024, said.
Commenting on the rescheduling of the opening date, the President of CETAG, Maxwell Bunu, said the association had been duly notified of the action of PRINCOF.
“Well, for us members of CETAG, I think it is a step in the right direction since our issues are still outstanding, not resolved.”
“So, if between the 13th and 27th, they will be able to get the issues resolved, I think that will be good enough to enable us to return to college,” he said.