Registrar of the National Teaching Council (NTC), has expressed concern about the increasing rate at which teachers are leaving Ghana for better opportunities abroad, emphasizing that this trend poses a significant threat to the future of education and national development.
During the first day of a two-day symposium in Accra, Addai-Poku appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to devise interventions to address the situation.
The symposium convened educationists, academicians, and policymakers to deliberate on critical education sector policy matters.
Addai-Poku highlighted that earlier this year, over 16,000 Ghanaian teachers applied for positions within the United Kingdom's (UK) Department of Education.
By June 13, 2023, 10,000 of these applicants, holding Ghana Teacher Licenses, received certification to work in the UK without further assessments or qualification tests.
Despite the annual graduation of a substantial number of qualified teachers, high attrition rates have led to perennial teacher shortages across Ghana.
The NTC is committed to collaborating with local and international organizations to enhance the training and professionalism of Ghanaian educators.
Deputy Minister for Education, Madam Gifty Twum Ampofo, underscored the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation's future.
She emphasized that teachers foster critical thinking, instill values, and shape the minds of younger generations. In a world marked by the constant verification and authentication of information, the role of teachers has become even more critical.
Professor Andy Ofori-Birikorang, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, emphasized that teachers play an indispensable role in the nation's development agenda.
Through their training and guidance, teachers lay the foundation for a progressive and prosperous society.
The symposium served as a platform to address the challenges and opportunities facing Ghana's education sector, particularly the retention of qualified teachers.
Collaboration between governments, educational institutions, civil society, and the private sector was emphasized as essential to reversing teacher shortages and fostering educational growth.