100,000 Teachers Face Removal Over Lack of Professional License

More than 100,000 teachers in Ghana are at risk of losing their jobs. The National Teaching Council (NTC) has identified these educators as not being professionally qualified. They are currently teaching in basic and private schools across the country without necessary licenses.

This situation poses a significant threat to the quality of education. The NTC believes unqualified teachers are most prevalent in rural communities. Francis Addae, Director of Teacher Licensing at the NTC, highlighted this issue. He spoke at a recent matriculation ceremony for postgraduate education students. A compliance check in senior high schools found 12,279 graduate teachers without professional licenses. Mr. Addae warned these teachers will be removed if they do not regularize their status.

The NTC’s move is part of a broader effort to professionalize teaching. This aligns with national goals to improve educational outcomes. The percentage of licensed teachers in Ghana is a key metric for the Ministry of Education. Previous efforts by the NTC have targeted thousands of unqualified teachers to obtain licenses. For example, a fast-track program aimed to register over 42,000 teachers.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) program is a key initiative. It helps non-professional teachers gain the needed qualifications. The NTC is supporting these teachers to enroll. Mr. Addae mentioned that about 12,000 graduate teachers are in senior high schools without licenses. Only 1,421 are currently in the PGDE program nationwide. The program fees have been reduced significantly. They are now GH¢5,000, down from GH¢8,000 to GH¢9,000. Female teachers under 35 may also receive financial aid through the GALOP project. Professor Matthew Glover Addo, Vice-Chancellor of the Catholic University of Ghana, also emphasized the need for professional development. He noted that modern teaching requires more than just subject knowledge. It requires pedagogical skills and classroom management.

This push for professionalization is rooted in law. Act 1023 of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020, requires teachers to be registered. The PGDE program aims to increase the number of trained teachers. This is especially important for underserved rural areas. The Catholic University of Ghana saw 341 candidates submitted by the NTC. Only 75 of them successfully enrolled in the program. Professor Addo praised the students for choosing to teach in rural areas. He called teaching a noble vocation that shapes a nation’s future.