In Ghana, the public education system is divided into basic education, senior high school, and tertiary education. Under the government`s educational policies, the Ghana Education Service (GES) plays a vital role in the management and administration of public schools in the country.

The GES is responsible for recruiting, training, and deploying teaching staff to public schools in Ghana. To ensure fair working conditions for the teaching staff, the GES has a collective agreement in place.

The collective agreement for teaching staff in GES refers to the negotiated terms and conditions of employment between the GES and the teacher`s union. The agreement seeks to establish a harmonious relationship between the employer (GES) and the employees (teaching staff) by providing a mutual understanding of each other`s obligations and expectations.

Some key aspects of the collective agreement for teaching staff in GES include working hours, remuneration, leave entitlements, promotion criteria, and disciplinary procedures.

Working Hours: The collective agreement stipulates the number of hours a teacher is expected to work per week. The agreement also outlines the maximum number of classes a teacher should take per day and the minimum preparation time required.

Remuneration: The collective agreement sets out the salary structure for teaching staff in GES. It specifies the minimum salary for each grade level and the frequency of salary increments.

Leave Entitlements: The agreement details the types of leave available to teaching staff, including annual leave, sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave. It also outlines the procedures for applying for leave and the conditions for its approval.

Promotion Criteria: The collective agreement provides guidelines for the promotion of teaching staff in GES. It outlines the criteria for promotion, such as experience, qualifications, and performance, and the process for applying for promotion.

Disciplinary Procedures: The agreement establishes disciplinary procedures for dealing with misconduct by teaching staff. It specifies the process for initiating disciplinary action and the rights of the accused teacher to defend themselves.

In conclusion, the collective agreement for teaching staff in GES is an essential document that outlines the terms and conditions of employment for public school teachers in Ghana. The agreement ensures that teachers are treated fairly and that their rights are protected. It also promotes a harmonious relationship between the GES and the teaching staff, which ultimately benefits the students.