The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has defended the government’s decision to recruit 7,000 teachers, acknowledging that the figure falls significantly short of the country’s actual needs.
Speaking at the launch of the 19th edition of the eLearning Africa Conference, the Minister cited financial limitations as the primary reason for the modest intake, despite mounting pressure to address teacher shortages nationwide.
“If resources were available, we should be employing and recruiting up to 50,000 teachers across the country,” he stated. “But due to budgetary constraints, we are unable to do that.”
According to him, the Ministry of Education had initially sought clearance from the Ministry of Finance for a larger recruitment exercise but ultimately secured approval for only 7,000 positions. He emphasized that the process has been conducted in an open and transparent manner, targeting qualified graduates with degrees and diplomas.
The announcement has sparked concerns among education stakeholders, many of whom argue that the limited recruitment will do little to address overcrowded classrooms, overburdened teachers, and declining learning outcomes in parts of the country.
However, the Minister assured the public that government remains committed to strengthening the education sector through complementary reforms. Chief among these is the rollout of a comprehensive digital education policy aimed at bridging systemic gaps and improving access to quality learning.
The policy, he explained, will leverage technology to enhance teaching and learning, particularly in underserved communities where teacher shortages are most acute.
While the recruitment of 7,000 teachers marks a step forward, critics say it underscores a deeper structural challenge one that raises urgent questions about funding priorities and the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s education system.
