Outcome of the Meeting between Unpaid Teachers and the GES Director-General
A group of teachers, grappling with the challenges of unpaid salaries and lack of staff IDs, recently engaged in a critical meeting with the Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to address their pressing concerns. The discussion, held in response to ongoing delays in their onboarding process, shed light on systemic issues within the recruitment and payroll system, leaving many educators in financial limbo.
The teachers, part of a cohort of over 50,000 recruits included in the Ministry of Education’s budget, are still awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Finance following the budget reading on July 24, 2025. The Director General revealed that despite repeated efforts, including letters sent through the Minister of Education to the Ministry of Finance, the GES has been instructed to “wait” as the clearance process is underway. This delay has left many teachers without official staff IDs or salaries, exacerbating their financial difficulties.
During the meeting, the teachers raised concerns about their resumption date, rent renewal issues, and transportation challenges, emphasizing the urgency of their situation. The Director General acknowledged their plight but stated that the GES’s hands are tied until clearance is granted. He urged the teachers to remain patient, as halting work is not a viable option. In response to their plea for communication with school heads, the Director General committed to informing basic school heads and regional directors about the teachers’ dire circumstances.
A significant point of discussion was the assurance of backdated salary payments. The teachers appealed for their outstanding salaries to be paid from their assumption date once clearance is secured. The Director General assured them that his office would prioritize this matter to ensure fair compensation.
The issue of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points and promotions was also raised, prompting the Director General to involve the National Teaching Council (NTC). He promptly invited the NTC leadership to the next meeting to provide clarity on these concerns, demonstrating a commitment to addressing professional development issues.
Additionally, the teachers requested a direct meeting with the Minister of Finance to discuss their concerns. The Director General clarified that he could only facilitate a meeting with the Minister of Education, who could then escalate the request to the Finance Minister. This response highlighted the bureaucratic layers complicating the resolution process.
A key point of contention was the GES’s decision to combine the clearance for the 2024 College of Education (COE) posted teachers and university graduate teachers with a larger recruitment batch of over 50,000. The Director General explained that previous attempts to secure clearance extensions for these teachers had been unsuccessful due to discrepancies in data between the GES and the Ministry of Finance/Controller. To streamline the process, the GES opted to include these teachers in the broader clearance request, though this has prolonged the wait for many.
The meeting underscored the frustrations of teachers caught in a web of administrative delays and misaligned data. While the Director General’s assurances and proactive steps—such as engaging the NTC and communicating with school heads—offer some hope, the teachers’ immediate financial struggles remain unresolved. As they await clearance, the affected educators continue to serve in schools, relying on promises of eventual payment and systemic reform.
The situation highlights the need for improved coordination between the GES, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance to ensure timely onboarding and payment for teachers. For now, the teachers are left with no choice but to wait, hoping that the promised clearance will soon materialize, bringing relief to thousands of educators dedicated to shaping Ghana’s future.
