Public basic schools resume academic activities across Ghana

Public basic schools across Ghana officially resumed academic activities on Monday, October 12, 2026, following the suspension of a nationwide strike that had disrupted teaching for nearly three weeks. The industrial action, which began on September 25, was spearheaded by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT/PRETAG). The suspension followed a series of negotiations that resulted in an agreement with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to address the teachers' financial grievances.

The core of the agreement involves a commitment by the FWSC to pay all outstanding promotion-related arrears by October 16, 2026. Beyond these immediate payments, the unions had also cited unresolved issues including expired collective bargaining agreements and unpaid rural community allowances. While teachers have returned to their classrooms, union leadership has indicated that they will remain vigilant as negotiations for other unresolved allowances continue over the coming months. This phased approach aims to ensure that teachers receive their due entitlements while minimizing further loss of instructional time.

Government officials have expressed optimism that the current roadmap will prevent future strikes. The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, assured teachers that all promises would be fulfilled and announced that periodic meetings would be established to maintain open communication. The Ministry of Education also praised the teacher unions for their willingness to prioritize dialogue. Meanwhile, the Council of State urged both the government and union representatives to act in good faith and remain accountable to the commitments made during the negotiations.

In the Ashanti Region, the return to school was marked by students and staff preparing classrooms for the resumption of lessons. At schools such as Danyame KG and St. Anthony R/C Primary in Kumasi, headteachers encouraged parents to send their children back immediately to begin bridging the learning gap. Both staff and students expressed relief at the end of the layoff, noting that the strike had significantly slowed academic progress. The focus now turns to intensive teaching to compensate for the three weeks of missed classes.

The resumption of work by pre-tertiary teachers provides significant relief to parents and students nationwide who have been affected by the shutdown. As academic activities normalize, the successful implementation of the FWSC payment schedule remains critical to maintaining labor peace in the education sector. All stakeholders have emphasized that sustained cooperation and the timely fulfillment of government promises are essential to avoiding further disruptions to the academic calendar.