Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR) Analysis from GES Data Presented to Parliament Shows Teacher Numbers Are Higher Than Required in Basic Schools.
Recent data submitted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to Parliament and used in the approval of the 2026 national budget has provided updated information on enrolment levels and teacher distribution across public pre-tertiary schools. The analysis of the data, which focuses on the Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR), indicates that teacher numbers at the basic education level appear to be higher than the levels required under national benchmark standards.
The figures, made available through eduwatch.info, cover Kindergarten (KG), Primary, Junior High School (JHS), and Senior High School (SHS). PTR is used as a key indicator to measure the average number of learners assigned to each teacher.
Enrolment and Teacher Distribution in Public Schools
▪ KG: 1,274,354 pupils — 47,024 teachers
▪ Primary: 3,470,377 pupils — 125,605 teachers
▪ JHS: 1,573,600 students — 110,680 teachers
▪ SHS: 1,332,400 students — 56,543 teachers
Pupil–Teacher Ratio (PTR) Assessment
PTR is determined by dividing total enrolment by the number of teachers available at each educational level.
▪ KG: 1,274,354 ÷ 47,024 = 27:1
▪ Primary: 3,470,377 ÷ 125,605 = 28:1
▪ JHS: 1,573,600 ÷ 110,680 = 14:1
▪ SHS: 1,332,400 ÷ 56,543 = 24:1
The calculations indicate that the existing pupil load per teacher remains below the national benchmark across the various levels.
Comparison with Education Strategic Plan (ESP) Targets (2018–2030)
The Education Strategic Plan (ESP) established the following PTR benchmarks for basic education:
▪ KG target PTR: 35
▪ Primary target PTR: 35
▪ JHS target PTR: 30
Current ratios recorded at KG, Primary, and JHS levels remain below the approved targets.
Teacher Demand Based on ESP Benchmarks
Kindergarten (KG)
▪ Estimated teachers required: 36,410
▪ Current teacher population: 47,024
▪ Difference: 10,614 additional teachers above target requirement
Primary Schools
▪ Estimated teachers required: 99,153
▪ Current teacher population: 125,605
▪ Difference: 26,452 additional teachers above target requirement
Junior High Schools (JHS)
▪ Estimated teachers required: 52,453
▪ Current teacher population: 110,680
▪ Difference: 58,227 additional teachers above target requirement
Overall Position at the Basic Education Level (KG–JHS)
▪ Required teacher population based on ESP targets: 188,016
▪ Existing teacher population: 283,309
▪ Difference: 95,293 teachers above projected requirement
Key Observation
An assessment based solely on the Pupil–Teacher Ratio benchmarks suggests that the current teacher population within public basic schools exceeds the projected requirement under the Education Strategic Plan.
Nonetheless, PTR serves as a broad statistical measure and may not fully capture realities within individual schools. Factors such as teacher distribution, subject specialisation, deployment patterns, and staffing gaps in specific communities remain important considerations when evaluating workforce adequacy across the education sector.