It is becoming increasingly clear that social partners ought to do more work to sustain industrial harmony on the labour scene.
For some time now the otherwise peaceful industrial atmosphere has been disturbed by the rising incidence of strikes by aggrieved workers.
The labour scene has been boiling since the introduction of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP), especially from groups that felt excluded from the scheme.
The year 2013 was particularly a very challenging one, as it was not only the period when we went through some uncertain times because of the election petition but also almost all professional bodies laid down their tools to demand better conditions of service.
Unfortunately, 2014 has begun on another turbulent note, with teachers of the colleges of education embarking on an industrial action to back their demand for better conditions of service.
The ministry has declared the action illegal and urged the teachers to return to the lecture halls while the issues are considered, especially by the National Labour Commission, which has written to the two groups for a meeting to resolve the disagreement.
We have always argued that anybody who submits to a negotiated settlement must be prepared for compromises.
The claim by the teachers that they were pushed to abandon their students may be valid, but it can also be argued that if the teachers really care about their students, they will put the interest of the students above their personal gain.
The Daily Graphic is worried about the effect of the teachers’ industrial action on the quality of education.
Teachers of the colleges of education are crucial in the government’s efforts at training the desired number of teachers for the basic schools.
It was that desire to get more teachers for our schools that compelled the government to scrap the allowances for teacher trainees, so that the money can be used to expand facilities for the admission of more teacher trainees.
Salary administration has been faced with many challenges but even the creation of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has not helped to calm nerves.
However, we appeal to the stakeholders in the latest industrial dispute to remain at the negotiation table until a solution is found.
Meanwhile, the Daily Graphic urges the teachers to return to the classrooms to help the future teachers to acquire the professional skills needed to set the stage for better learning and teaching opportunities for all, particularly those who seek a career in teaching.
