GES Introduces Fast-Track PGDE Programme to Upgrade Non-Professional Teachers
GES Introduces Fast-Track PGDE Programme to Upgrade Non-Professional Teachers
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced a new nationwide initiative aimed at upgrading non-professional teachers to full professional status. The move follows a directive from the National Teaching Council (NTC), which is mandated under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023) to regulate the teaching profession in Ghana.
In a circular dated 20th November 2025 and addressed to all Regional Directors of Education, GES indicated that the NTC had begun issuing subject-based licenses to all teachers without professional certification. This ongoing exercise forms part of efforts to regularize teaching standards and ensure that only certified individuals practice in the classroom.
According to Section 67(1) of Act 1023, “A person shall not practice as a teacher unless the person is registered as a teacher in accordance with this Act.” This provision gives legal backing to the requirement for all teachers to obtain professional registration and licensing before being allowed to teach.
To support non-professional teachers through this transition, the NTC has partnered with four major universities—University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Education Winneba (UEW), Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), and the University for Development Studies (UDS). These institutions will run a fast-track Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme designed specifically for non-professional teachers working in both public and private schools.
The programme comes at a subsidized cost of GH¢5,000, significantly lower than standard PGDE fees, offering financial relief to many teachers who might otherwise struggle to upgrade their qualifications. Additionally, the Teaching Education and Learning (T-TEL) organization has agreed to provide financial assistance for applicants under the age of 35, helping to ease the burden on younger teachers entering the profession.
GES noted that the fast-track PGDE programme is expected to commence during the next school vacation and will run for 16 to 20 weeks. The schedule has been intentionally designed to minimize disruption to teaching and learning activities.
Non-professional teachers are required to register for the programme online through a link provided in the official communication. The deadline for registration is 30th November 2025, and further details on the programme will be released in due course.
The directive was signed by Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs.), the Acting Deputy Director-General (Management Services), on behalf of the Acting Director-General of GES.
This initiative represents a major step toward professionalizing the teaching workforce, improving teacher quality, and enhancing educational outcomes across the country. By offering a subsidized and accelerated route to professional certification, GES and NTC are working to ensure that every teacher in Ghana meets the standards required to deliver effective, quality education.
