Govt, UTAG meeting inconclusive

A crucial meeting between the government and the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) to resolve the impasse over the payment of research and book allowance ended inconclusively yesterday.

According to the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education,  Mr Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, even though the meeting was productive, it was not conclusive and had been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2014.

The Tuesday meeting would determine whether or not the university teachers would call off their strike.

Mr Ablakwa said it would be on Tuesday that “we would know whether or not the strike can now be called off and the road map for [the] reopening of the schools.” 

There have been disagreements between the government and UTAG over the payment of book and research allowance.

While the government has proposed the establishment of a national research fund to take care of funding for the conduct of research instead of paying the money into private pockets, the teachers are demanding the payment of the allowance to them. 

Currently,  the book allowance stands at $1,500 per lecturer per year, while the research component stands at GH¢400.

Briefing the Daily Graphic, Mr Okudzeto-Ablakwa described the meeting as very fruitful and productive.

He said key on the agenda was the payment of the 2013/2014 book and research allowances which the government had already agreed to pay.

Writer’s Email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh