REACTION ON THE PLANNED STRIKE BY ARTS AND HUMANITIES TEACHERS

By Obadah Caesar – Professional Teacher

I have taken note of the intended industrial action by some Arts and Humanities teachers, effective Monday, 15th September, as Term Three opens. While the concerns raised regarding salary disparities are understandable, I strongly caution against this strike.

Government, in 2022, took a bold step by enhancing the salaries of science teachers by 300%. This was part of a phased strategy, with a clear commitment that Arts and Humanities teachers will also benefit in due course. Striking now, at a time when the country is heading into national examinations and also approaching a sensitive electoral period, risks disrupting learners’ futures and may be wrongly interpreted as a political move. Scanning through Kwame Nkrumah words – “The best way of learning to be an independent sovereign state is to be an independent sovereign people.” Teachers must create that independence in the classroom, not outside of it.

Teachers are the custodians of knowledge and role models in society. Our calling is to safeguard the education of our children above all else. Walking out of classrooms would punish innocent learners rather than advance the cause of equity. The proper avenue remains constructive dialogue through unions and other established platforms.

I therefore appeal to my colleagues in Arts and Humanities to resist this temptation. Let us maintain focus on our professional duty and trust government’s ongoing efforts towards salary harmonization. Education must remain a unifying pillar for national development—not a bargaining tool for political pressure.

To parents and children, I encourage you to remain calm and continue supporting government’s efforts in protecting the gains we have made in the education sector. Together, we can ensure that learning continues uninterrupted and that our national goals in education are achieved.

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY

eSigned,

Obadah Caesar

Professional Teacher