Ghana's Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to recruit 10,000 teachers and 2,000 non-teaching staff in 2027. The recruitment aims to strengthen staffing in schools across the country, improving teaching and learning. The announcement was made at the 150th anniversary celebration of Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast. The recruitment will be included in the 2027 national budget. This move is part of efforts to provide schools with necessary human resources.
The additional non-teaching staff will include labourers, drivers, and support personnel. This will ease the administrative and operational burden on schools. Mr. Iddrisu also mentioned that the government is reviewing the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy introduced in 2017. The review focuses on strengthening foundational education, particularly literacy, numeracy, and science and mathematics learning. The policy aims to improve access to quality secondary education.
As part of the infrastructure expansion programme, 10 new model senior secondary schools will be constructed across 10 regions. Additionally, 30 Category B senior high schools will be upgraded to Category A status. Mr. Iddrisu also disclosed that GH¢250 million from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) will be allocated in the 2027 funding formula. This allocation will expand infrastructure in the country's 12 best-performing senior high schools in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The projects will include the construction and expansion of dormitories, classrooms, ICT centres, and libraries. Mfantsipim School is expected to benefit from these projects, including improvements to its assembly hall. The interventions aim to address the growing demand for places in high-performing senior high schools. According to Mr. Iddrisu, 313,000 students applied for admission into Category A schools, but available vacancies stood at only 76,000.
Mr. Iddrisu also called for stronger collaboration among traditional authorities, religious leaders, parents, and students to address growing indiscipline in schools. He emphasized the need for stakeholders' support to restore discipline and promote respect for teachers, school authorities, and established rules. The minister mentioned the alleged sexual misconduct incident at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, which will be referred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Attorney-General's Department, and the Ministry of the Interior.
The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Professor J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyedu, congratulated Mfantsipim School on its 150th anniversary. He urged students and old boys to draw inspiration from the school's history while making decisions that would secure its future. The bishop commended the school's old boys for their contributions towards infrastructure development, particularly the chairman, who is the single largest contributor to the school's infrastructure projects.
The Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, also congratulated Mfantsipim School on its 150th anniversary. He described the milestone as a celebration of an enduring institution whose influence has extended beyond the classroom to families, communities, and the development of Ghana. He urged current students to recognise their responsibility in sustaining the school's legacy through discipline, curiosity, integrity, and respect for one another.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government plans to recruit 10,000 teachers and 2,000 non-teaching staff in 2027.
- The recruitment aims to improve teaching and learning in schools across the country.
- The government is also reviewing the Free Senior High School policy and expanding educational infrastructure.
