Accra: The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed a critical issue facing the education sector in Ghana, particularly highlighting the Prestea Huni-Valley Constituency where parents are financially supporting the salaries of 176 teachers in public schools. This disclosure underscores the broader teacher deficit challenge in the country.
According to Ghana Web, during a parliamentary session on Friday, May 29, 2026, Minister Iddrisu addressed the pressing shortage of educators nationwide, which is currently at a deficit of nearly 50,000 teachers. In response to this crisis, the government has initiated a recruitment drive to hire 7,000 teachers and 3,000 lecturers across the nation.
Iddrisu recounted that a team from the Ghana Education Service conducted an assessment in the Prestea Huni-Valley area in 2023, confirming the presence of 176 community-supported teachers. He emphasized the ongoing recruitment efforts and the dependency on financial clearance to proceed with hiring.
The Minister announced that newly recruited teachers are expected to commence their roles on July 1, 2026, in an effort to alleviate some of the pressure faced by the education system. However, he acknowledged the significant challenges in meeting the national demand due to financial constraints. The situation brings to light the considerable hardship experienced by parents and students in regions where the availability of basic education is severely impacted by the lack of teachers.