Public schools across the country will resume normal teaching and learning on Monday, October 12, 2026, after teacher unions officially suspended their two-week nationwide strike on Friday following a series of meetings on Friday.
The decision by leadership from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) brings long-awaited relief to millions of parents and students left in limbo since the strike began on September 25.
The suspension follows weeks of mounting tension and several failed attempts at mediation.
Previous meetings between state officials and union leaders ended inconclusively, with union executives directing members to remain home after government’s previous failure to fulfil assurances.
Friday’s breakthrough resulted from an intense, multi-stage diplomatic effort that began at the Ministry of Labour, progressed to closed-door discussions with the Council of State led by former Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho, and concluded with a final session at the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
The resolution was formalized through a joint communiqué signed by state representatives, including the FWSC and the Ghana Education Service (GES), alongside executives from all three teacher unions.
Payment Timelines
Replacing vague assurances, the signed agreement outlines a clear, dated schedule for disbursing allowances and arrears:
- Promotion Placement Arrears: An initial batch of 51,000 teachers will receive back pay by October 16, 2026, with all remaining affected staff scheduled for full payment by October 31, 2026.
- Digital Instruction Support Allowance: Negotiations on the allowance have concluded, with payouts scheduled for November 2026.
- Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Allowance: Final terms have been agreed, with disbursements set for December 2026.
- Deprived Area Allowance: The government has committed to rolling out full implementation modalities in January 2027.
Conditional Return and High Accountability
While union leaders agreed to suspend the industrial action to restore academic activities, they emphasized that the return to work is strictly conditional. Union executives warned that any failure by the government to meet the agreed payment dates will trigger an immediate resumption of the strike.
Both parties confirmed that dialogue will remain ongoing to address all remaining conditions of service.
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