FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We, the undersigned teachers in our capacity as members of the various teacher unions, became dumbfounded to have read this statement as published by KA Technologies “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the nationwide supply, training and subsequent distribution of Computer Laptops to qualified teachers (Kindergarten, Primary, Junior and Senior High Schools), teachers on study leave and non-teaching Staff under the Ghana Education Service (GES).”
This assertion is utterly false and misleading and an ill intended act to misinform the public and hence the need for us to set the records straight.
To begin with, it must be noted that based on the MOU as signed on November 13, 2020, under the then Minister of Education Dr Matthew Opoku Prempah, KA Technologies (KAT Ghana) was required to deliver laptops to teachers across the country within twelve (12) calendar months.
There was a clear breached of contract and as a result, the Lawyers representing the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers of Ghana (CCT-Gh) have issued a notice to the Minister of Education and K.A Technologies Ghana Limited (KAT Ghana) over the prolonged delay in the supply of computer laptops, for which sums were deducted from teachers’ salaries.
In addition, there was a letter from Ghana Education Service dated February 8, 2022 with reference number GES /HQ/SDTU/11/22 signed by Mr Anthony Boateng, Deputy Director -General(MS) calling on teachers to attend a four (4) day online training on the use of laptops yet to be supplied to majority of teachers across the country for which the teachers would be given CPD points and certificates of participation which we wrote a letter and kicked against because teachers do not have the tool for the training.
In two days time, thus on February 10, 2022, Ghana Education Service wrote another letter suspending the said online training for a new date to be communicated but till date nothing has been communicated to teachers concerning it.
Also, in a letter dated July 14, 2024 and signed by the Director General of GES, Dr.Eric Nkansah, he wrote to regional directors of education to do a compilation of names of teachers who haven’t received the TM1 laptops for a refund.
In the said letter, the list was to reach the Controller and Accountant General Department through the Ghana Education Service by July 16, 2024 so as to effect a refund in July’s validation. The fact remains that no teacher has been refunded.
Lastly, in a letter written on August 27, 2024 and signed by the leadership of the three 3 teacher unions, they told the National Labour Commission( NLC) to keep its promise by ensuring that all teachers get their laptops by August 31, 2024.
In a nutshell, thousands of teachers are yet to be given their promised laptops for which their monies were deducted and are yet to be trained on how to use the said laptop.
We are by this statement urging KA Technologies (KAT Ghana) to come clean on the actual number of laptops distributed.
We demand an immediate explanation for this gross misinformation and a clear plan to rectify the situation.
The teaching community will not stand idly by while our rights and benefits are trampled upon.
As teachers, we will continue to advocate for the truth and hold accountable those who seek to deceive the public on issues regarding teachers.
Signed:
Mathias Tulasi
0243735430
Christian Youngs 0249690641
Lawrence Edem Tsorhe
0246176724
