NTC Gives Unqualified Teachers Deadline to Obtain Licences or Risk Sanctions

NTC Gives Unqualified Teachers Deadline to Obtain Licences or Risk Sanctions

The National Teaching Council (NTC) has cautioned more than 42,000 teachers without professional qualifications to secure teaching licences before the close of the year or risk facing disciplinary action from the Ghana Education Service (GES).

According to the Council, all teachers currently teaching without the required professional certification are expected to enrol in the ongoing fast-track teacher education programme designed to regularise their status.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, the Director responsible for Licensing and Registration at the NTC, Francis Addai, explained that the Council aims to complete the training programme for all participating teachers by the end of the year.

He disclosed that the first group of participants is expected to finish the programme in August, while the second batch will begin in September and complete their studies 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 warned that teachers who fail to obtain licences may no longer be allowed to continue teaching under the GES.

He explained that the Council could formally notify the employer, the Ghana Education Service, for further action to be taken 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 follows an earlier revelation by the NTC that more than 42,000 teachers in basic and senior high schools across the country do not possess professional teaching qualifications.

Findings from a nationwide survey conducted by the Council showed that approximately 12,279 unqualified teachers are currently at the senior high school level, while over 30,000 are teaching in basic schools.

Mr Addai noted that the Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of unqualified teachers, with figures nearing 4,000. Greater Accra and the Eastern Region were also among the regions with high numbers.

To address the challenge, the NTC, in partnership 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 in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba, University for Development Studies, Valley View University, and University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development.

The programme seeks to assist graduate teachers who lack professional training to obtain certification and licences in line with legal requirements.

The first batch, comprising about 1,400 teachers, is expected to complete the programme in August. Registration for the second cohort is expected to begin in June ahead of lectures scheduled for September.

According to the NTC, the programme has been significantly subsidised, with participants expected to pay GH¢5,000 for two semesters to ensure affordability for teachers across the country.