The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti Region is calling on the government to urgently review the lengthy and complex teacher promotion structure, which they say delays career progression and demoralises educators.
Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial District Delegates’ Conference in Tepa, outgoing District Chairman Elvis Prince Biney criticised the current system, particularly the prolonged period required to move from Assistant Director to Deputy Director, which often spans eight to ten years.
“Our Mother GNAT should call on GES to reduce the long chain of ranking, from Principal Superintendent to Director I. I don’t understand the difference between Assistant Director I and Assistant Director II. It’s just a way to waste the teachers’ precious time. What is the difference between an Assistant and a Deputy?” Mr. Biney asked.
He urged GNAT’s national leadership to engage the Ghana Education Service (GES) in streamlining the ranking structure to enhance motivation and career advancement among teachers.
Call for Housing Mortgage Scheme
Mr. Biney also appealed for the introduction of a housing mortgage scheme for teachers, modelled on similar programmes in other African countries. “Ivory Coast has a system where every teacher who wants to build a house can mortgage their pension. In Ghana, we have the Provident Fund, Teachers’ Fund, Tier 2, and SSNIT. Why can’t we use these to support teachers in building homes earlier in life?” he suggested.
He stressed the importance of providing early housing support to enable teachers to retire in dignity after years of dedicated service.
Study Leave Policy “Outdated”
Another major concern was the relevance of the current study leave policy, which Mr. Biney described as obsolete.
“Now the entry point is a degree, so effectively, the current study leave is of no use. Why don’t we extend it to cover master’s programmes so that members can take advantage?” he proposed.
National GNAT Endorses Concerns
The First National Trustee of GNAT, John Owusu Mensah, echoed concerns about the sluggish promotion system but acknowledged recent government efforts to address longstanding issues.
“It is commendable. We appreciate the government. Over the years, union leaders have been fighting for this, and it’s a dream come true,” he said, referring to the clearance of the promotion backlog for Deputy Directors.
Challenges in Rural Education
Meanwhile, Municipal Director of Education, Grace Oppong Agyapong, spotlighted the persistent challenges confronting the education sector, especially in rural areas.
Despite the achievements, challenges persist—poor infrastructure, delayed teacher allowances, large class sizes, bad roads, and teacher absenteeism. We must confront these obstacles with a unified front to ensure that teacher welfare and educational excellence remain national priorities,” she emphasised.
The conference concluded with the election of new GNAT executives for the municipality, who will steer the affairs of the union over the next four years.
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