The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has indicated that the government is considering an increase in the recently announced 7,000 teacher recruitment slots, following mounting concerns from teacher unions about the limited number.
This assurance follows criticism from the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and other unions, who argue that the current allocation is insufficient to absorb the more than 10,000 trained graduates from colleges of education and other tertiary institutions still awaiting placement.
Speaking during the May Day celebrations in Kumasi on Friday, May 1, the Minister admitted that the existing quota does not adequately meet the country’s educational workforce demands.
He pointed out that while 15,000 recruitment slots have been designated for health workers, the figure for teachers remains significantly lower, despite the education sector covering a broader network of institutions nationwide.
According to him, there is a compelling need to expand teacher recruitment, noting that Ghana has far more schools than hospitals across the country.
“The 7,000 is not enough, particularly where health workers had 15,000 and others. There are more schools than hospitals, so government will work and increase the numbers,” he stated.
Mr. Iddrisu further emphasized that the government is committed to addressing the concerns raised and will engage relevant stakeholders to review and adjust the recruitment figures to better reflect national needs.