President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Angel Carbonu has directed teachers at the pre-tertiary level to stay away from work while asking NAGRAT members at the Senior High School level not to resume work when school reopens on April 16. Thus, the Association National has declared an indefinite strike until government pays arrears owed members. “The leadership of NAGRAT do thereby on this day, 4th of April, 2018 resolve that all NAGRAT members at the pre-tertiary level should lay down their tools and abstain from work,” Angel Carbonu said. The action, according to Angel Carbonu is as a result of frustrations over what he says is a deliberate action and inaction of government regarding salary arrears owed teachers since 2013. “We are expressing our disgust about government action in respect of salary adjustments, up-grading and promotions as well as outstanding transfer grants without any reason.” Angel Carbonu made this known at a press briefing in Accra where he expressed the frustration of members of the association. “The disquiet of our members has reached its peak over the broken promises and non-payment of arrears by government”, he said. The NAGRAT President described as misleading the inclusion of payment of teacher arrears in the 2017 government budget because according to him, such payments have not been made. “What we see are orchestrations, tactics, artful maneuvering and manipulations deployed by the Ministry of Finance, and then government and for that matter refuse to pay the arrears at all.” He added that NAGRAT has done all it could to reach an agreement with government, but all attempts have been futile. Angel Carbonu indicated their last formal encounter with government on this issue was in January. “We are at the end of the road, and we have no alternative than to advise ourselves and so we have advised,” Angel Carbonu stated. He advised heads of institutions and departments not to heed any advice aimed at intimidating them. He charged them to remain resolute in the call made by the Association to lay down their tools. By 3news.com| Ghana]]>
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