National Teaching Council Warns Unqualified Teachers to Obtain Licences or Risk Sanctions
National Teaching Council urges over 42,000 unqualified teachers to obtain professional licences before the end of 2026 or risk sanctions from the Ghana Education Service.
- More than 42,000 teachers in Ghana lack professional teaching qualifications.
- NTC warns unlicensed teachers could face sanctions from GES.
- Fast-track diploma programme introduced to help teachers obtain licences.
According to the Council, all unlicensed teachers currently in classrooms are expected to enrol in the ongoing fast-track teacher education programme introduced to help them obtain professional certification.
The Director of Licensing and Registration at the NTC, Francis Addai, said the Council aims to complete training for all enrolled teachers by the end of the year.
“We want to run this programme by the end of this year. The first cohort is completing in August, while the second cohort will begin in September and finish in December,” he stated, urging affected teachers to take advantage of the initiative.
Mr Addai warned that teachers who fail to obtain licences may not be allowed to continue teaching under the GES.
“Teachers need a licence to teach; therefore, they cannot remain non-professional teachers and continue to stay in the GES,” he stressed.
The warning follows recent findings by the NTC that more than 42,000 teachers in Ghana’s basic and senior high schools currently lack professional teaching qualifications.
According to a nationwide survey conducted by the Council, approximately 12,279 unqualified teachers were identified in senior high schools, while over 30,000 were found in basic schools across the country.
Mr Addai disclosed that the Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of unqualified teachers, followed by the Greater Accra and Eastern regions.
To address the challenge, the NTC, in collaboration 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 partnership with 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 is intended to help graduate teachers without professional training secure certification and teaching licences as required by law.
The first batch of about 1,400 teachers is expected to complete the programme in August, while registration for the second cohort is scheduled to open in June ahead of classes in September.
The NTC added that the programme has been heavily subsidised, with participants expected to pay GH¢5,000 for two semesters to make it affordable for affected teachers nationwide.
