The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has promised that all outstanding promotion arrears owed to teachers will be cleared by October 30.
He said government acknowledges its duty as an employer to pay every cedi due teachers, especially arrears linked to promotions.
The Minister spoke at a two-day symposium and exhibition organised by the National Teaching Council (NTC) at the GNAT Hall in Accra.
Mr. Iddrisu stated that government has committed to meeting its financial obligations to teachers.
According to him, measures were being put in place to ensure the arrears were settled.
“We have accepted as government that we must honour our obligations to teachers. We will pay the arrears. We will honour them,” he said.
“If by October 30 your promotion arrears are not paid, then I will have no honour,” he added.
His pledge is expected to calm tempers among teachers who have been agitating for payment of their promotion arrears and other entitlements.
The issue of unpaid promotion arrears has lingered in the pre-tertiary sector for years, with unions consistently pressing government to settle the debts.
The assurance comes days after three teacher unions – GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG – embarked on a nationwide strike on September 25 over the unpaid arrears.
The unions say the delay in paying members has heightened frustration in schools and are demanding immediate action.
