More than 250 lecturers in Ghana’s Colleges of Education have been affected by salary downgrades following their migration onto the tertiary education payroll system, according to the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
The association says the situation has created significant disparities in remuneration and continues to affect the livelihoods of hundreds of lecturers across the country.
Speaking on the issue, CETAG General Secretary, Fidelis Kamaayi, revealed that the affected lecturers are mainly holders of Master of Education (MEd) and Master of Science (MSc) degrees.
According to him, these lecturers were previously placed on the same salary level as their colleagues before the migration exercise. However, the transition to the tertiary payroll system resulted in many of them being assigned lower grades.
“We were all at the same level when we were on the Colleges of Education payroll. After the migration, those with MEd and MSc qualifications were downgraded below their colleagues with MPhil degrees,” Mr Kamaayi explained.
He noted that more than 250 lecturers have been affected by the development.
As a result, many now earn less than colleagues performing similar duties within the same institutions.
Mr Kamaayi argued that the situation violates the principle of equal pay for equal work.
According to him, lecturers with different master’s qualifications continue to perform the same teaching, supervision, assessment, and administrative responsibilities. Therefore, he believes they should receive comparable remuneration.
“We are talking about people who do the same work. The issue is not about qualification titles but about the work being performed,” he stated.
CETAG says it has engaged the relevant authorities on several occasions in an effort to resolve the matter.
Although discussions are ongoing, the association admits that progress has been slower than expected.
Nevertheless, Mr Kamaayi assured affected lecturers that the union remains committed to pursuing a lasting solution.
“We are still engaging the authorities. We believe the matter can be resolved, and we will continue to push until justice is done,” he said.
The salary downgrade issue comes at a time when CETAG is actively advocating improved conditions of service for lecturers in Colleges of Education.
The association has consistently called for fair remuneration, timely payment of allowances, and improved welfare packages for its members.
Education stakeholders say resolving the issue quickly will help boost staff morale and maintain confidence in the ongoing reforms within Ghana’s tertiary education sector.
For now, affected lecturers remain hopeful that ongoing negotiations will lead to a review of the salary structure and restore fairness within the system.
