Existing teachers who have been transferred to various basic schools within the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region are unhappy about what they say is an unfair treatment being meted out to them by the Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) at Asankragwa.
Whilst some complain of victimisation resulting their questioning for legitimate answers from their school heads who are running away from financial and other accountability, others say they are not yet due for transfer regarding the number of years spent at their current stations.
“But for the unbridled partisan victimisation of many of us, we are not due for transfer now”, an aggrieved teacher told this writer.
The over fifty (50) teachers are complaining that the refusal of the educational authority to pay travel and to them is in contravention of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between them and their employer.
Those who have been transferred even outside Asankragwa to various Communities will not be given transport allowances. A teacher’s transfer letter signed by MRS. ELIZABETH EMEFA FIAGOME, Amenfi West Director of GES and intercepted by this Editor attests to the allegations and complaints of the affected teachers.
The letter dated 16th August, 2024, says in part that ” This is to inform you that in the interest of the service and in your own interest, you have been reposted from (school withheld) in the Asankragwa Circuit to (school withheld), in a withheld circuit as a classroom teacher with immediate effect.
My checks indicate the supposed destination of this transferred teacher is outside Asankragwa but “You are not entitled to any transport cost in the course of your movement”, according to the transfer letter.
Apart from that, “Arrange with the IPPD Officer to effect change of management unit within three months to avoid non payment of salary”.
The teachers say the decision to deny them transport cost by the Amenfi West Directorate of GES in the movement of their families to their new places would bring untold financial burdens on them.
A provision in the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Teaching Staff within the Ghana Education Service, says “A Transfer Grant of three months basic salary at the approved rate shall be paid to each member on approved transfer at the instance of management except it is not on disciplinary grounds.
A GES official at Asankragwa, who wants to remain anonymous, told this Editor in an interview that the mass transfer by the Amenfi West GES Directorate affects teachers who have spent ten years or more at their existing stations based on competence and necessity to fill some schools within the Municipality with well experienced Teachers.
But, some teachers think otherwise and is calling on the Ministry of Education to investigate the matter for an amicable resolution.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/ Sir. Dr. Richmond Antwi Boasiako
