By Daily News Flash | September 27, 2026
The Minority in Parliament has linked the mass failure recorded in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to poor conditions of service and growing dissatisfaction among teachers.
According to the Minority Caucus Committee on Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, the looming indefinite industrial action by teacher unions cannot be separated from the poor learning outcomes recorded in the 2026 BECE.
The Caucus said the grievances of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and Pre-Tertiary Teachers Union (PRETAG) stem from delays in negotiating a new Collective Agreement, failure to automatically place promoted teachers after successful aptitude tests, and non-payment of the Deprived Area Allowance.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, the Minority argued that the issues raised by the unions relate to already agreed conditions of service which government has failed to implement.
It further argued that teacher dissatisfaction has consequences for learning outcomes, saying the 2026 BECE results should not be viewed solely as a failure on the part of students.
“A demotivated teacher cannot produce an excellent student,” the Minority said, arguing that government must address the conditions affecting teachers who are responsible for educating pupils.
The Minority has therefore called on government to immediately engage the teacher unions and conclude negotiations on the new Collective Agreement.
It is also demanding that the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) place all promoted teachers and pay their outstanding arrears dating back to January 2026.
The Caucus further urged government to implement the 20% Deprived Area Allowance for teachers working in hard-to-reach communities, as provided for under the 2024 Collective Agreement for Teaching Staff within the Ghana Education Service.
The Minority warned that government must prioritise issues affecting the classroom amid the looming industrial action, saying: “If we lose our teachers, we lose our nation.”
Source: http://Citinewsroom.com / By Juliana Odame Asare
