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The Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) in the Volta Region has called on the government to settle all outstanding responsibility allowance arrears for headteachers by the end of March 2025.
At a press conference in Ho, Mr Vincent Gordor Stephen, the Volta Regional Chairman of COHBS, said he was worried that nearly one-third of headteachers in the region have been denied their rightful allowances for years, significantly affecting their morale and commitment.
“It is unacceptable that headteachers, who bear the heavy responsibility of managing schools, are being denied their due allowances. This has demoralised not only headteachers but also teachers under their leadership. We demand that all arrears be paid in full without any deductions for taxes,” he stated.
COHBS further demanded that the responsibility allowance be set at 20 per cent of their gross salary and be reflected as a stand-alone item on their payslips for clarity and fairness. “How can the cook of Managing Director earn at about GHC 7,000 while a headteacher overseeing an entire school receives a meager GHC 70 as a responsibility allowance? This is both insulting and frustrating. We demand that this allowance be increased to at least 20 per cent of our gross salary and be properly documented,” Mr Gordor emphasised.
COHBS also expressed frustration over the delay in salary upgrades for Deputy Directors, stating that some members have been promoted for three to five years but have yet to receive their corresponding salary adjustments. “We urge the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to immediately address this issue. It is unfair for Deputy Directors to remain on their old salary scale years after their promotion,” Mr Gordor stated.
To resolve this issue, COHBS suggested the introduction of Deputy Director I and Deputy Director II ranks, which would allow salary adjustments even if there are no immediate openings for district director positions. “If the delay is due to the absence of vacancies for District Director positions, then a structured ranking system such as Deputy Director I and II should be introduced to ensure that all Deputy Directors receive their rightful salaries,” he added.
COHBS further decried the lack of car maintenance allowances for headteachers, despite the fact that public basic school heads did not receive government-provided vehicles and must use their personal cars or motorbikes for official duties. “It is unfair that headteachers are expected to use their personal vehicles for school-related activities without receiving any form of car maintenance allowance. The government must immediately rectify this and provide adequate compensation,” Mr Gordor stated.
The group also reiterated the need for accommodation allowance, acknowledging the efforts of teacher unions in advocating for this benefit but demanding that it be a non-taxable, stand-alone item on their payslips. “We have waited far too long for this allowance. While we appreciate the efforts of our union leaders, we demand that it be clearly stated on our payslips and remain non-taxable, just as it is for other public sector workers,” COHBS stated.
COHBS stressed that their demands were not complaints but calls for immediate action to improve the conditions of basic school headteachers and the quality of education in the Volta Region. “Education is the backbone of national development. If these issues are not addressed now, the future of our children will be at risk. We call on the government, stakeholders, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to support our efforts in improving basic education,” Mr. Gordor concluded.
Source: GNA
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