Teacher Unions Reject GES Directive on Staff Personal Files for Job Evaluation

The three major teacher unions in Ghana have strongly rejected a directive from the Ghana Education Service (GES) requesting the submission of staff personal files for an ongoing job evaluation exercise, describing the move as provocative, offensive, and a deliberate attempt to delay the resolution of longstanding concerns affecting teachers.

In a joint statement dated June 9, 2026, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT-Ghana) expressed disappointment over a letter issued by GES Headquarters in collaboration with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), which instructed regional directors to submit teachers’ personal files for the exercise.

According to the unions, the request ignores several unresolved issues that have been the subject of negotiations and directives from the National Labour Commission (NLC) since the nationwide teacher strike of March 2024.

Unions Cite Unresolved Commitments

The teacher unions recalled that their 2024 strike action centered on critical matters affecting teachers, including the development and implementation of a comprehensive Scheme of Service for GES staff and the decoupling of Director I and Director II positions from political districts and regions.

They noted that following intervention by the National Labour Commission, GES was directed to negotiate and implement a Scheme of Service to regulate appointments and career progression within the service. Although a draft Scheme of Service was developed with the support of consultants and inputs from the unions, it is yet to be finalized and implemented.

The unions argued that the latest request for staff personal files represents a disregard for both NLC directives and a presidential directive aimed at restructuring career progression within the education sector.

Concerns Over Collective Agreement Delays

Another major concern raised by the unions is the delay in negotiating a new Collective Agreement. They pointed out that the existing agreement expires in June 2026, yet negotiations for a replacement agreement have not been concluded.

The unions described the situation as troubling, stressing that repeated engagements with the Ministry of Education and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission have not yielded the desired results.

ALSO READ: GES Begins Nationwide Job Evaluation; Staff Personal Files Required for Verification

Outstanding Issues Remain Unresolved

The statement further highlighted several provisions in the 2024 Collective Agreement that remain unimplemented.

Among them is the requirement for an approved Scheme of Service covering all grades within the Ghana Education Service. The unions also cited the delayed promotion of Deputy Directors to Director II and subsequently Director I, despite provisions in the agreement calling for expedited action on the matter.

Additionally, they noted that the review and implementation of the Deprived Area Allowance, as stipulated in the Collective Agreement, has not been undertaken.

Teacher Unions Present Four Demands

In response to the latest developments, the unions outlined four key demands:

1. GES should use existing staff records at school, district, regional, and headquarters levels to obtain information needed for the Job Evaluation Exercise instead of requesting fresh submission of personal files.
2. The Scheme of Service covering all teaching staff in GES should be concluded, signed, and implemented on or before July 17, 2026.
3. A new Collective Agreement should be negotiated, concluded, signed, and implemented by July 17, 2026.
4. The promotion process for Deputy Directors to Director II and subsequently Director I should be completed and implemented by July 17, 2026.

Warning of Possible Further Action

The unions called on all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, FWSC, Public Services Commission, National Labour Commission, and GES, to act swiftly to address the concerns.

They warned that if no favorable response is received by July 17, 2026, they would determine their next line of action.

The statement was jointly signed by GNAT General Secretary Thomas T. Musah, NAGRAT President Jacob Anaaba, and PRETAG President King Ali Awudu.

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