The President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Reverend Isaac Owusu, has declared 2026 as a year of zero tolerance for assaults and brutality against teachers across the country.

Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial and 54th National Delegates Conference of the Association, Reverend Owusu warned that any individual or group that attacks a teacher without provocation will face the collective resistance of teachers nationwide.

He stressed that the era of teachers enduring attacks in silence is over, stating that the principle of “touch one, touch all” will be strictly enforced.

According to him, teachers will no longer stand by while their safety and dignity are compromised.

Reverend Owusu urged teachers at the local level to unite and support any colleague who becomes a victim of violence.

He further indicated that schools could be shut down if necessary as a means of protecting the lives, rights, and dignity of teachers.

The GNAT President also used the occasion to present a number of demands to President John Dramani Mahama, calling for urgent reforms to improve the welfare, security, and working conditions of teachers nationwide.

He said addressing challenges such as teacher safety, working conditions, and professional respect is critical to sustaining quality education in the country.