Provisional data available from the EMIS indicates that about 44,000 representing over 15% teachers left basic schools in 2021 with no replacement. While the ongoing efforts to recruit about 18,000 teachers is commendable, it does not even address the deficit half-way.
The Ministry of Education must engage more teachers to address the deficit and ensure the posting of all teachers being recruited to deprive districts where they are needed, devoid of any protocol considerations.
Meanwhile, New research conducted by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has shown that a total of 7,000 teachers quit the service every year.
According to Officials of GNAT, the situation is very disturbing, especially in the rural areas”. Incentives meant for teachers must be provided to motivate them to remain in the teaching service.
GNAT outlined the following as the reasons why teachers quit the service annually.
Lack of accommodation in most under-served communities in the country is one of the reasons why teachers quit the service.
Also, the inability of under-served communities to attract and retain teachers is a contributory factor “no time for individual pupils”, saying the net result was a poor academic performance which is affecting the quality standard of education.
Lack of educational resources.
Finally, the lack of proper Government policies for teacher deployment and retention was also causing a high rate of teacher attrition.