Over 42,000 Teachers In Ghana Found Unqualified – NTC Reveals

More than 42,000 teachers across Ghana’s basic and senior high schools are currently teaching without professional qualifications, according to the National Teaching Council (NTC).

This situation has raised serious concerns about teaching standards in the country and has pushed authorities to introduce a fast-track training programme to urgently close the gap.

According to the Council, a nationwide survey carried out in schools found that about 12,279 teachers in Senior High Schools are unqualified. Even more striking, over 30,000 teachers in basic schools are also in classrooms without formal teaching qualifications.

In a video posted by Citi Newsroom on May 10^th , 2026, the Director in charge of Licensing and Registration at the National Teaching Council (NTC), Francis Addai, said during a matriculation ceremony for students pursuing a Special Postgraduate Diploma in Education in Kumasi that the situation has compelled the Council to introduce an 18-week fast-track teacher training programme.

“We conducted a nationwide survey in Senior High Schools and discovered that about 12,279 teachers who are unqualified by they are teaching. We have more than 30,000 of them also in the basic schools,” he said.

Mr Addai explained that the programme is being run in collaboration with five universities: University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba, University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Valley View University, and University for Development Studies.

He said the initiative will allow graduates who are already in the classroom to obtain professional certification and teaching licences as required by law.

“To address the situation, the NTC in collaboration with five universities to organize a fast-track Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme for graduates. So that NTC can also issue licences for them to teach as required by law”, he emphasized.

The first cohort is already ongoing, with about 1,400 teachers enrolled and expected to complete training in August this year. Registration for the second cohort will begin in June, with classes expected to start in September.

“This is fast track, meaning within 18 weeks there are done. So the first cohort has started they will complete by August, and about 1400 only were enroll.
So we went them to be part in the second cohort, which starts in September, so registration starts June. They cannot remain unprofessional teachers and be in the teaching service”, he added.

Mr Addai added that the programme has been subsidised to cost GH₵5,000 for two semesters, making it one of the most affordable and fastest routes to professional teaching status.

He further warned that under existing regulations, teachers without professional qualifications and licences will not be allowed to remain in the teaching service.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education as part of efforts to strengthen teaching standards and improve learning outcomes across Ghana.

“We plead to all unprofessional teachers, in both basic and senior high schools to take advantage of this initiative by NTC and Ministry of Education to become professional teachers as required by law”, he concluded.

Officials say the move is expected to reduce unqualified teaching and improve student performance nationwide over time, and support long-term reforms in Ghana’s education system overall.