The government is considering a major policy shift that would transfer the recruitment of teachers from the headquarters of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across the country.
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, disclosed the proposal while addressing Parliament on Thursday, June 18, describing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen decentralisation and improve education management at the local level.
According to the Minister, President John Dramani Mahama is currently considering the proposal, although discussions on the matter are still ongoing.
“The President is considering, but it is subject to his discussion and conclusion,” Mr. Iddrisu told Parliament.
He explained that the proposed reforms could be accompanied by an increase in allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund under Article 252 of the Constitution, from the current 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.
Under the proposal, 1 per cent of the increased allocation would be dedicated to a localised education support division within district assemblies to facilitate the recruitment and management of teachers.
“The President’s view is that 1 per cent of that 7.5 per cent should be given to the localised education support division of the assemblies,” he said.
Mr. Iddrisu noted that the proposal is based on the belief that district assemblies are better positioned to recruit teachers and respond to the staffing needs of schools within their jurisdictions.
“The assemblies should be those recruiting teachers and not the headquarters at GES,” he stated.
He further revealed that another 1 per cent of the proposed allocation under consideration could be directed towards strengthening healthcare services at the local level, although discussions on the matter are yet to be concluded.
The Education Minister argued that decentralising teacher recruitment and management could improve accountability and enhance the handling of disciplinary matters involving teachers.
He questioned why disciplinary issues arising within communities and schools should always be referred to the central offices of the Ghana Education Service rather than being addressed locally.
Mr. Iddrisu also acknowledged that challenges relating to teacher postings, transfers and secondments are sometimes exacerbated by requests from Members of Parliament and other stakeholders.
“Mr Speaker, again, some of these problems are created by our own demands,” he said.
He explained that requests such as transferring specific teachers, approving secondments or relocating personnel often complicate the administration of the education system.
“I want this person transferred. I want this person moved. I want this secondment to be done,” he said, citing examples of the demands frequently made on the system.
The Minister indicated that government has taken note of these concerns and is engaging Parliament on measures to improve the management of teacher deployment nationwide.
He also reiterated that despite budgetary constraints limiting the number of new recruits, significant teacher vacancies remain across the country, underscoring the need for reforms to address staffing shortages in the education sector.
