The Registrar of the National Teaching Council (NTC), Dr. Christian Addai-Poku has expressed grave concern about the high attrition rate of teachers, emphasizing that it poses a significant threat to the future of Ghana’s education sector.
He cited an example of the attrition rate, noting that earlier in the year, over 16,000 Ghanaian teachers had applied for employment with the Department of Education in the United Kingdom (UK). By June 13, approximately 10,000 of these applicants, who possessed Ghana Teacher Licences, had been certified to work in the UK. The UK government had offered them placements without further assessment for qualified teacher status tests.
Dr. Addai-Poku made this appeal during a two-day symposium in Takoradi, where he called upon the government and all relevant stakeholders to implement appropriate measures to address this situation and avert the impending danger it poses to the education sector.
The symposium took place ahead of this year’s Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony, scheduled to occur today in the Western regional capital.
During the symposium, education practitioners, academics, and policymakers convened to discuss significant issues in the education sector. It served as a significant platform for various agencies to engage with participants on crucial policy matters and provided an opportunity for schools to showcase innovative initiatives from their institutions.
Additionally, the symposium offered a platform for the shortlisted award winners to present the unique contributions and practices that earned them national recognition. It also delved into the theme of this year’s World Teachers Day celebration, fostering a deeper understanding of its significance.
Dr. Addai-Poku emphasized that despite the country producing a significant number of qualified teachers annually, the high attrition rate reverses the progress, resulting in a shortage of teachers every year across the nation.
He commended all stakeholders in the education sector for their dedication and efforts in striving for the best education for the nation’s future leaders.
Furthermore, the Registrar of the NTC pledged to collaborate with both local and international agencies willing to partner with them. Their goal is to enhance the training and professionalism of Ghanaian teachers, enabling them to contribute their best to the transformation of the nation’s economy. This collaborative effort aims to address the challenges posed by the high attrition rate in the teaching profession and ensure a sustainable supply of qualified teachers for Ghana’s education system.
The Deputy Minister of Education in charge of TVET, Gifty Twum Ampofo, stated that the theme for this year’s Ghana Teacher Prize: “The teachers we need for the education we want:
The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage”, was apt and touched on the spine of the crisis at hand.
She said when examined, it would shed light on its multifaceted dimensions while advocating a comprehensive solution.
Mrs. Gifty Twum Ampofo emphasized the critical role of teachers in the current educational landscape, noting that their importance has never been greater. She highlighted the rapidly advancing world’s need for knowledge acquisition, which requires constant verification and authentication of information before learners can consume it.
The Deputy Minister stressed that teachers are not just conveyors of information but are, in fact, the architects of the collective future. They play a crucial role in shaping the minds of younger generations, fostering critical thinking skills, and instilling values and attitudes that transcend across generations. This recognition underscores the significance of teachers in molding the future of the nation and ensuring a well-informed, capable, and ethical citizenry.
“Let’s join the National Teaching Council and the Ministry of Education in this exploration to deal with the teacher shortage, acknowledging the fact that reversing the teacher shortage is a long-term endeavour that requires collaboration between governments, educational institutions, civil society and private sector,” Ms Twum Ampofo said.
Professor Andy Ofori-Birikorang, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, emphasized the indispensable role of teachers in the nation’s development agenda. He underscored that the importance of teachers cannot be underestimated, as they are responsible for the health, harmony, and prosperity of society. He described teachers as the architects and engineers of the societal future.
Furthermore, Prof. Ofori-Birikorang highlighted that teachers play a vital role in shaping the upbringing of children and adults. They provide guidance in understanding the socio-cultural and moral compass of society, thereby laying the foundation for a progressive and prosperous society. This recognition underscores the immense impact teachers have on shaping the values and future of a nation.