The Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG) has given the government until November 16 to pay outstanding promotion arrears owed to its members.

The government had earlier committed to settling the arrears by the end of October, prompting the association to suspend its industrial action.

However, the Council of State and other stakeholders have called on the union to give the government more time to pay the affected teachers.

The association, however, has insisted that it will resume its industrial action if the government fails to fulfill its side of the bargain.

“If by the 16th they have not paid, probably your network will be the first to even declare the strike for us, because it is becoming one too many… So by 16th, if they have not paid, there is a likelihood that we’re going to call our teachers back from the classroom. And what will happen should happen,” he said.

The teachers are protesting delayed promotions, deprived-area allowances and negotiations on a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Ministry of Education, Haruna Iddrisu.

The unions have raised concerns over the proposed 10% increase in the digital allowance, which currently amounts to GH¢800 annually.However, Haruna Iddrisu, has asked striking teachers across the country to hold him accountable if their outstanding promotion arrears are not paid by Friday, October 30.

While speaking at a two-day symposium and exhibition organised for teachers by the National Teaching Council (NTC) at the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Hall in Accra, Haruna Iddrisu said the government was committed to fulfilling its obligations to teachers by ensuring that all outstanding payments, including promotion arrears, were settled.

“The government has accepted that I am responsible for honouring my obligations as an employer to all teachers. And we have accepted that we will pay their arrears. We will honour them. If by October 30, your promotion arrears are not paid, then I will have no honour,” he added.