The three teacher unions have called off an intended industrial action until the completion of the validation exercise.

The National Union of Graduate Teachers, (NAGRAT) Coalition of Concern Teachers, (CCT) and the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) announced the suspension at a joint press conference with the Labour Ministry and Fair Wages Commission.

The unions threatened industrial action by February 29 if government refused to pay some allowances and salary arrears owed them.

The Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Jacob Kor, alleged that documents submitted by the unions were backdated and found to be fraudulent.

But government released over GhȻ1.5 million as part payment of the total of GhȻ15 million owed them.

The Finance Ministry has asked the unions to submit forms for validation to ensure payment of the rest of the money.

The unions have expressed confidence in the validation exercise and have given government some more time to finish the process.

Speaking at the press conference, the General Secretary of GNAT, David Ofori Acheampong, said government has shown enough commitment in the execution of the exercise, hence the extension of the time by the unions.

He called on all members of the teacher unions to remain calm until the end of the exercise.

Mr. Kor expressed gratitude to the teachers for their patience.

He tasked District Directors of Education to draw the attention of the GES whenever they encounter problems with the collection of validation forms.

He urged them to submit the forms on time to avoid a recurrence of the problem.