Ghana’s education sector is facing a major teacher shortage, with the government estimating that schools require between 50,000 and 90,000 more educators to meet the growing demand across the country.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, disclosed the challenge while addressing Parliament on Thursday, June 18, explaining that financial limitations have prevented the government from recruiting the number of teachers needed to fill the gap.
Mr. Iddrisu said although the need for additional teachers remains urgent, the government was only able to secure clearance to employ 7,000 educators, leaving a significant shortfall in staffing requirements.
“My need for teachers is between 50,000 and 90,000, but I had clearance for 7,000, and that is what I am making do with,” Mr. Iddrisu reportedly told Parliament.
He noted that recent changes and expansions within the education system have increased the demand for teachers, particularly with the establishment and growth of institutions under the Ghana Education Service and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
The Minister explained that the limited number of recruits must serve both the general education system and the TVET sector, a situation that has further intensified the pressure on available teaching personnel.
“The country has evolved and we have taken reforms that will benefit education in the foreseeable future. We now have the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and the GES and so when we are recruiting, we allocate teachers for TVET and GES, but there is a difference between need and what I have budgetary approval for,” he explained.
