Unionism should be a protective tool and voice of the working class for a given society but the case of teachers in Ghana is unfortunately different. The delay in the distribution of the TM1 Laptop is a clear indication that teachers are not regarded by government and the Union leaders.
First of all, this agreement was signed by GNAT, CCT-GH and NAGRAT union leaders on behalf of teachers while majority of teachers were not in favour of the deal after realizing the substandard conditions of the laptop.
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TM1 Laptop MoU Signed by Teacher Unions
Far back 13th November 2020, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Education, Teacher Unions (NAGRAT, GNAT and CCT-Gh) and K.A Technologies Ghana Limited to provide laptops to teachers in the Ghana Education Service.
Page 2of 9 paragraph 7 item the stated “Teacher Unions in desirous in improving the capacity and productivity of its members by leveraging information communication technology in teaching and learning for all their 280,000 members. In pursuit of the above objective intend to procure the 280,000 pieces of Laptops“.
Paragraph 10 item also states” KAT Ghana and Teacher Unions have agreed to work together towards the acquisition and supply of the required devices and the technical training required for the improved physical and virtual teaching and learning of their members“.
The obligations of parties on page 3 of 9 item (a) made it clear that the laptops shall be supplied in three(3) equal terms within 12 months period effective the date of signing the MOU.
Per the MOU, there is a gross violation of the agreement. So, what is the fate of the parties involved since the devices have clearly not been supplied within the stipulated time?
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It seems to me that the Teacher Union Leaders have benefited hugely from this contract signed so they do not care about those who have not received their TM1 laptops but their monies deducted.
Classroom Teachers in Ghana were shocked at a letter dated 29th August,2023 by the Teacher Unions to the Hon Minister for Education and copied to the National Labor Commission did not address the issues of the One Teacher One Laptop.
In addition to that, their recent Press Release threatening the government of boycotting the upcoming World Teachers day did not capture anything on the remaining teachers whose monies were forcefully deducted by the government and Teacher Union Leaders at the national level.
On 10th February 2021, a letter with reference number 0692/VOL.111/(3)/90/21 signed by Mr Thomas T. Musah the General Secretary of GNAT captioned “Supply of Laptops for Teachers” paragraph 4 admitted that the TM1 Laptops will facilitate the smooth impartation in the schools and enhance the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of the teachers leading to the renewal of their license.
So, why are the Unions being nonchalant and paying death ears to the cry of the classroom Teachers whose monies were deducted but the laptops were not supplied to them for close to three years now?
No wonder the theme for this year’s World Teachers Day celebration identified that there is Teacher Shortage.
The Ministry of Education and national leaders of the Teacher Unions in Ghana should see to this as a matter of urgency supply the remaining laptops to the teachers whose monies were deducted but not given their laptops since it will enhance teaching and learning process as far as modern technology is concerned.
Adanuty John Paul
Akpini Local GNAT Chairman
0243613504.
