The government is set to introduce a 20 per cent rural posting allowance for teachers serving in deprived and hard-to-reach communities, the Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has announced.
He explained that the incentive is aimed at attracting more teachers to such areas, improving retention and compensating them for the challenging conditions under which they work.
Mr Iddrisu made this known in Parliament on Thursday when he responded to questions on steps being taken by the Ministry of Education to improve teachers’ welfare, particularly those posted to rural communities.
He further indicated that the government has reduced the number of years teachers in deprived areas must serve to qualify for Study Leave with Pay from three years to two years.
In addition, he said the government, under the “Teacher Dabre” initiative, plans to provide affordable accommodation for teachers as part of efforts to enhance their welfare.
Touching on the 2025 Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), Mr Iddrisu stated that the placement outcomes have met the policy objective of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme with regard to admissions into Category A (elite) senior high schools.
He explained that the policy reserves 30 per cent of declared vacancies in Category A schools for graduates from public junior high schools.
According to him, out of the 123,309 candidates placed in Category A schools in 2025, 71,406, representing 57.91 per cent, were from public basic schools, while 51,903, representing 42.09 per cent, came from private basic schools.
He noted that the figures exceed the policy requirement for public school graduates.
Mr Iddrisu said the data suggests that although equitable access for public school graduates has improved, merit-based competition continues to offer significant opportunities to qualified students from both public and private basic schools.
He added that the 2025 placement outcomes affirm that the objectives of the Free SHS policy promoting fairness, inclusion and equitable access to elite secondary education are being achieved.
The Minister also disclosed that the government is reviewing the CSSPS to improve the portal and further enhance transparency and equity in placements.
On the issue of rising indiscipline among students, Mr Iddrisu underscored the need to review the punishment regime and empower the Ghana Education Service (GES) to deal effectively with such cases.
He said the Ministry, in collaboration with the GES, is implementing measures at the pre-tertiary level to address indiscipline. These include the introduction of a behavioural standards guide for learners, a revised teachers’ code of conduct, and a draft National Safe School Policy.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
