The National Teaching Council (NTC) has revealed that over 42,000 educators presently working in Ghana’s basic and senior high schools lack professional teaching credentials.
According to the NTC, a countrywide assessment carried out in schools found that roughly 12,279 teachers in Senior High Schools are not qualified, while more than 30,000 others are teaching in basic schools without the necessary professional certification.
Speaking to journalists in Kumasi at a matriculation for students enrolling in a Special Postgraduate Diploma in Education, the Director of Licensing and Registration at the NTC, Francis Addai, said the situation has led the council to launch an 18-week accelerated teacher training course.
“We conducted a nationwide survey in Senior High Schools and discovered that about 12,279 teachers currently in classrooms do not possess professional qualifications.
In basic schools, the number exceeds 30,000,” he said. Mr. Addai explained that the course is being run together with the University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba, University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Valley View University and University for Development Studies.
He said the programme will allow graduates already in classrooms to earn professional certification and teaching licences as the law requires.
“To address the situation, the NTC has partnered with five universities to roll out a fast-track Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme for graduates.
The initiative will enable participants to obtain teaching licences from the NTC in line with legal requirements,” he added.
The first group has already started, with about 1,400 teachers enrolled and set to finish in August this year.
Registration for the second group will open in June, with lessons beginning in September.
Mr Addai noted that the course has been heavily subsidised at GH₵5,000 for two semesters, calling it the quickest and most affordable path for teachers seeking professional status.
He also cautioned that under current rules, teachers without professional qualifications and licences cannot remain in the teaching service.The program is being carried out with the Ministry of Education as part of efforts to raise teaching standards across the country.
