Strikes And Their Effects On Educational Institutions: The Case Of Accra College Of Education

Abstract

Strikes within the educational sector have been a topical issue as most governments across the globe try to resolve the grievances of teachers in order to stabilize the educational system. Ghana is no exception as tutors in the colleges of education recently embarked on a month-long strike disrupting academic work. This study explored the causes of the strike in the Accra College of Education. In addition, it examines the effects of strikes on teaching, learning research and marking of assignments. A mixed methods approach was adopted for the study. Specifically, explanatory sequential mixed method was adopted to examine strikes and its effects on Accra College of Education. This mixed methods approach is in two phases. First, the quantitative study followed by the qualitative study. As a result, the data for the quantitative study was collected and analyzed first, and the result was used to design the qualitative study, which complemented the quantitative result. The data collection techniques employed included self-administered questionnaire for the quantitative method and an interview guide for the qualitative method. The study revealed that all the respondents had at least experienced a strike action ever since they came into contact with the college of education. In addition, respondents identified payment of salaries, delay in the payment of the book and research allowance and government’s inability to fulfill promises made to teachers as the leading causes of the recent strike that lasted for a month. Also, the strike affected learning as students were put under pressure when the tutors resumed. All the respondents admitted that strike actions disrupted the academic calendar and negatively affected teaching and learning.