The plight of Ghanaian teachers has been highlighted by a recent report that revealed that over 16,000 of them have applied to work in the UK by June 2024. The report, published by the Ghana Education Service, stated that some 10,000 teachers had already been certified by the UK Department of Education for employment.
According to the report, the main reasons for the mass exodus of teachers are low salaries, delayed promotions, lack of motivation and inadequate teaching resources. The report also noted that the teacher shortage was more acute in rural and deprived areas, where teachers face additional challenges such as poor accommodation and transportation.
The situation has drawn the attention of various stakeholders, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the President’s Advisor on Health, and the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper. They have all called on the government to address the welfare and concerns of teachers and to implement the agreed conditions of service for them.
The GNAT president, Rev. Isaac Owusu, appealed to President Akufo-Addo to give teachers more money and incentives if he wants to stop the teacher exodus. He also questioned the government’s promise to provide 10,000 houses for teachers, which has not been fulfilled. The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt, said the challenges teachers are facing are not small and that they are fleeing as if there is a war in Ghana. He said teachers are being compelled to seek opportunities abroad due to the challenges in the service.
The teacher exodus has raised concerns about the quality and accessibility of education in Ghana, especially for children in rural and deprived areas. It has also highlighted the need for more investment and support for the teaching profession, which is vital for the development and transformation of the country.
Source: GhanaWeb
