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NTC Sets Deadline for Unqualified Teachers to Obtain Licences or Risk Sanctions
The National Teaching Council (NTC) has directed more than 42,000 teachers without professional qualifications to obtain teaching licences before the end of the year or risk sanctions from the Ghana Education Service (GES).
According to the Council, teachers currently in classrooms without the required professional certification must enrol in the ongoing fast-track teacher education programme aimed at regularising their status.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, the Director in charge of Licensing and Registration at the NTC, Francis Addai, explained that the Council intends to complete the training programme for all participants by the close of the year.
He revealed that the first cohort of teachers will complete the programme in August, while a second batch is expected to begin studies in September and graduate in December.
“We want to run this programme by the end of this year. The first cohort is completing in August, the second cohort will start in September and also complete in December, so we entreat all of them to join and become professional teachers,” he stated.
Mr Addai further cautioned that teachers who fail to secure licences may no longer be permitted to teach under the GES.
He noted that the NTC could formally notify the Ghana Education Service to take the necessary action against affected teachers.
“These teachers need licences to teach, therefore they cannot continue to remain in the GES as non-professional teachers,” he stressed.
The warning comes after the NTC disclosed that more than 42,000 teachers in basic and senior high schools nationwide currently lack professional teaching qualifications.
A nationwide survey conducted by the Council revealed that about 12,279 unqualified teachers are at the senior high school level, while over 30,000 are teaching in basic schools.
Mr Addai disclosed that the Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of unqualified teachers, with figures close to 4,000. Greater Accra and the Eastern Region also recorded high numbers.
To tackle the situation, the NTC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and five universities, has introduced an 18-week fast-track Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme.
The initiative is being implemented with the support of University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Education, Winneba (UEW), University for Development Studies (UDS), Valley View University (VVU), and University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED).
The programme is intended to help graduate teachers without professional training obtain certification and teaching licences in line with legal requirements.
The first batch of about 1,400 teachers is expected to complete the programme in August, while registration for the second cohort is scheduled to begin in June ahead of lectures in September.
According to the NTC, the programme has been heavily subsidised, with participants required to pay GH¢5,000 for two semesters to make it affordable for teachers across the country.
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