Haruna Iddrisu, the Education Minister, has revealed that Ghana is facing a shortage, with the country requiring between 50,000 and 90,000 additional Teachers.
According to Haruna Iddrisu, Ghana requires between 50,000 and 90,000 additional educators to adequately serve schools across the country.
The Education Minister disclosed that, although the demand for teachers remains high, he is constrained by a limited budgetary allocation.
He disclosed that ongoing reforms within the education sector have increased staffing requirements.
Haruna Iddrisu highlighted that teacher recruitment must now cater for both the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET).
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 18, the Minister explained, “The country has evolved, and we have taken reforms that will benefit education in the foreseeable future. We now have the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and the GES, and so when we are recruiting, we allocate teachers for TVET and GES, but there is a difference between need and what I have budgetary approval for,” the Minister stated.
“My need for teachers is between 50,000 and 90,000, but I had clearance for 7,000, and that is what I am making do with.”
Earlier, Haruna Iddrisu defended the government’s decision to recruit only 7,000 teachers.
Haruna Iddrisu detailed that the 7000 teachers being recruited are due to budget constraints, adding that 50,000 teachers could have been recruited across the country if there were resources.
Speaking during the launch and communications briefing of the 19th edition of the eLearning Africa Conference on Tuesday, April 14, Haruna Iddrisu stated, “If resources were available, we should be employing and recruiting up to 50,000 teachers across the country, but due to budgetary constraints, we are unable to do that.
The Ministry of Education sought clearance from the Ministry of Finance to recruit up to 7,000 teachers with degrees and diplomas. Accordingly, the process has been advertised in an open, transparent manner,” he said.
Earlier, Haruna Iddrisu announced that his ministry has received clearance and approval from the Ministry of Finance for the recruitment of teachers across the country.
Haruna Iddrisu disclosed that the government plans to recruit 7,000 teachers across Ghana.
According to the Education Minister, the move forms part of government efforts to strengthen the education sector and address staffing gaps in schools.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, April 1, Haruna Iddrisu stated, “I am happy to note and announce that the Ministry of Education has received clearance and approval from the Ministry of Finance for the recruitment of teachers across the country. We will be recruiting at least 7,000 teachers. We want the process to be open, transparent, and competitive.
“Therefore, graduates from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 cohorts may apply for placement as teachers across the country. Priority will be given to those who are ready and willing to serve in those deprived and safe areas.”
Meanwhile, the Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG) has told the John Mahama-led government to shut down colleges of Education if the government cannot employ teachers.
According to the TTAG, the 7,000 teachers being employed by the Mahama government are woefully inadequate.
The TTAG also demanded that the government fulfil its promise to automatically post trained teachers.
He highlighted that more than 45,000 trained teachers remain without postings, with over 65,000 students currently enrolled in Colleges of Education.
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