Teachers Strike: Pupils climb trees in the absence of teachers.

The pre-tertiary level strike action by teacher unions is severe.

Accra Central Aayalolo Cluster of Schools students have unrestricted recess. They enter class, drop their belongings, and dash to the school’s playing field.

As they ran up and down the pitch, kicking a football as if it were the World Cup, perspiration ran down their faces. Several students who were not participating in the football games climbed trees. Others participate in card games, while the younger students sing.
However, some of the pupils are anxious and worried amidst the enthusiasm and organized mayhem. In October, they will take the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (B.E.C.E.). They have claimed that they will blame the government if the strike continues and they fail their exams.
“On October 17, we will submit our B.E.C.E. If we all fail, the President is solely responsible.

Because he is responsible for looking after our teacher and other school materials.” This is a remark from JHS 3 student Ibrahim Mohammed of Accra’s Aayalolo Cluster of Schools’ Ashia Mills Basic School. Despite the fact that his teachers are on strike, Ibrahim believes that a few of them will show up to teach. “Yesterday, three of our teachers arrived at school and instructed us on “Religious and Moral Education” before leaving. However, no teacher was present today”. Adwoa Adjei reported that another Ashia Mills School student concurred.

The four teacher unions went on strike on Monday, demanding a 20 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) since their earnings have been undermined by high inflation, high fuel prices, and high prices for products and services. Teachers in private schools are not on strike. They and we will take the identical final examinations. Because our parents are not wealthy, they brought us here. Therefore, the President must compensate our educators”. Mohammed Ibrahim stated.

Aayalolo Cluster of Schools has more than one thousand students. There are eight (8) distinct institutions that share a campus. Children from Agbogbloshie, Old Fadama, James Town, and neighboring communities attend these schools. In these locations, many of Accra’s underprivileged reside.
Two initiatives begun by the NDC administration have languished for several years, leaving the children of Aayalolo to study in a deplorable atmosphere.

Despite the fact that the children attend school, it is evident that they are not obtaining a decent education. If the teachers’ strike continues, children who are already vulnerable will suffer much more.