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National Teaching Council to Phase Out Unqualified Teachers with New 18-Week Fast-Track Certification Programme

In a major move to professionalise the teaching profession, the National Teaching Council (NTC) has announced plans to phase out unqualified teachers from Ghana’s basic and senior high schools. The Council revealed that over 42,000 teachers currently in the classroom lack the necessary professional teaching qualifications and licences.

Scale of the Problem

According to a nationwide survey conducted by the NTC:

12,279 unqualified teachers are teaching in Senior High Schools (SHS).
Over 30,000 unqualified teachers are in basic schools (KG to JHS).

This brings the total number of unqualified teachers to more than 42,000 across the public education system.

NTC’s Fast-Track Solution

To address this challenge, the NTC has introduced a specialised 18-week fast-track teacher education programme (Special Postgraduate Diploma in Education) designed specifically for graduates already teaching without professional certification.

Key Features of the Programme:

Duration: 18 weeks (two semesters)
Cost: Highly subsidised at GH¢5,000 for the entire programme
Institutions Involved: Offered in partnership with five major universities:
- University of Cape Coast (UCC)
- University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
- University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED)
- Valley View University
- University for Development Studies (UDS)

The programme allows in-service teachers to obtain both the professional certification and the teaching licence required by law.

Current Progress

The first batch of approximately 1,400 teachers has already been enrolled and is expected to complete training by August 2026.
Registration for the second cohort will open in June 2026, with academic work beginning in September 2026.

Francis Addai, NTC Director in charge of Licensing and Registration, made the announcement during a matriculation ceremony in Kumasi.

Strong Warning from NTC

Mr. Addai issued a clear warning to all unqualified teachers:

“Existing regulations strictly prohibit teachers without professional qualifications and licenses from remaining in the teaching service.”

The NTC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is determined to enforce compliance. Teachers who fail to take advantage of this fast-track opportunity risk being phased out of the classroom.

Why This Matters

Professionalising the teaching force is critical for improving learning outcomes in Ghanaian schools. Unqualified teachers often lack the pedagogical skills, classroom management techniques, and subject mastery needed to deliver quality education especially under the current standards-based curriculum.

This initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to raise teaching standards and ensure every child in Ghana receives instruction from qualified, licensed professionals.

Advice to Affected Teachers

If you are a teacher without a professional licence:

Take advantage of this subsidised fast-track programme immediately.
Contact your school authorities or visit the partner universities for registration details.
Register for the second cohort when it opens in June.