We did not negotiate laptop package for teachers-GES clarifies issue
According to INNOVATIVE TEACHERS, the conduct of GES with respect to the compulsory acquisition of laptop computers by teachers from its outfit and the Ministry of Education is arbitrary.
The Ghana Education Service has indicated that the decision to sell laptop computers to teachers nationwide was negotiated by the teacher unions in the country, namely, Ghana National Association of Teachers(GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers(NAGRAT) and the Coalition of Concerned Teacher, Ghana(CCT-GH).
In a letter dated July 12, 2021 and signed by Deputy-Director General(MS), Anthony Boateng,the GES says it was only mandated by the Ministry of Education( MoE) to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
Furthermore, it described as inaccurate, the impression created to the effect that, it was compelling teachers to pay for laptops.
On June 29, 2021, INNOVATIVE TEACHERS, a registered trade union with the Labour Department of Ghana, through its counsel, Kwame A.Boafo and Associates, wrote to the Attorney General, indicating its intention to sue the GES and or the Ministry of Education.
In the said letter, reference was made to a January 29, 2021 letter of the GES in which it(GES) expressed intention of selling laptop computers to teachers.
According to INNOVATIVE TEACHERS, the conduct of GES with respect to the compulsory acquisition of laptop computers by teachers from its outfit and the Ministry of Education is arbitrary.
Furthermore, it noted that the deductions from salaries or allowances of employees by the employer(GES and/Ministry of Education) is strictly regulated by law and that the said mandatory deductions under the present situation is ultra vires and contrary to the Labour Act(2003).
It, therefore, demanded that the GES and the Ministry of Education desist from deducting part of the salaries or professional development allowance of its members and urged that members who are interested in buying the laptops must be permitted to give their prior consent by submitting a consent form to the GES before such deduction can be effected.
However in its letter,addressed to the Attorney General, the Ghana Education Service(GES) denied its purported role in the computer sale negotiation and indicated that it was rather the teacher unions that did same.
It then advised the complainant,(INNOVATIVE TEACHERS) to rather submit the list of their members so that they are not provided for, under the scheme.
