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Poor working conditions are driving teachers away from the profession — Bolgatanga Municipal GNAT Chairman
The Bolgatanga Municipal Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Gbenga Solomon George, says poor working conditions, inadequate motivation and limited support systems are contributing to dissatisfaction among teachers and driving some professionals away from the teaching field.
Speaking during an interview on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East programme, Mr George said many teachers remain dissatisfied with conditions in the classroom, their treatment and remuneration, which he believes affect their ability to deliver effectively.
“The teacher is not satisfied with everything, from the classroom to their treatment to even the salary,” he said.
He said challenges including poor classroom infrastructure, inadequate teaching and learning materials, transportation difficulties and limited accommodation support continue to affect teachers, particularly those posted to rural communities.
According to him, teachers are often required to perform responsibilities beyond classroom teaching, including counselling and supporting students facing personal challenges, but these additional roles are not always matched with the needed incentives and support.
Mr George said the situation has affected teacher morale and could have implications for the quality of education delivery.
He also expressed concern over what he described as an increasing number of teachers leaving the profession, saying some have moved abroad or changed careers in search of better opportunities.
“Even from last year up to this year, we’ve had a lot of people leaving the teaching field,” he said.
The Bolgatanga Municipal GNAT Chairman further raised concerns about the difficulties some teachers face in commuting long distances to schools, especially in areas where accommodation facilities are unavailable.
He questioned the availability of promised teacher accommodation projects in many communities, arguing that providing decent accommodation close to schools would improve teachers’ working conditions.
“Politicians have promised teacher accommodation, but do you even see any teacher accommodation existing in these areas where they say they are going to attach a unit to each school?” he asked.
Mr George also raised concerns about the continued reliance on chalk in classrooms, warning that prolonged exposure to chalk dust could affect teachers’ health.
He called on authorities to prioritise teacher welfare, improve school infrastructure and provide the necessary support systems to create a better working environment for teachers.
According to him, improving conditions for teachers is essential to boosting morale and enhancing the quality of education delivered to students.
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