The Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu has reiterated government’s commitment to constructing 50,000 housing units for teachers nationwide in a major intervention aimed at addressing the persistent accommodation difficulties confronting teachers and headteachers across Ghana.
The Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, said this in a speech delivered on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, at the 5th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Conference of Heads of Basic Schools (COHBS) held in Koforidua.
The conference was held under the theme, “Repositioning Headteachers for Effective School Governance and Improved Learning Outcomes.”
The Deputy Minister said the proposed 50,000 housing units are intended to directly address the accommodation crisis that has forced many teachers to reside far from their schools or live in unsuitable conditions, negatively affecting teaching and learning.
“On this last point, I am glad to report that the Honourable Minister has announced Government’s plans to build 50,000 houses for teachers nationwide—a direct response to the accommodation difficulties that have for too long forced teachers and headteachers to live far from the schools they serve, or in conditions unworthy of their service,” he announced.
According to him, the ambitious housing programme demonstrates government’s resolve to improve teachers’ welfare and provide decent accommodation for educators, particularly those posted to underserved communities.
“This is a bold undertaking, and as it rolls out, it should stand as concrete proof that Government hears you,” he added.
Despite the prevailing challenges, Dr. Apaak commended teachers and headteachers for their dedication, professionalism and patriotism, describing their service as critical to national development.
“Despite all these challenges, you continue to show up, with professionalism, resilience and patriotism intact. That is not a small thing. That is national service of the highest order,” he said.k
The Deputy Minister acknowledged government is aware that challenges confronting the education sector extend beyond accommodation.
He mentioned infrastructure deficits, teacher shortages, uneven deployment of teachers, learner indiscipline, increasing administrative responsibilities and funding constraints as issues requiring urgent attention.
He assured Heads of Basic Schools that the Ministry of Education has already taken steps to address some of these concerns, including clearing inherited arrears of the Capitation Grant and ensuring more regular disbursement of funds to schools.
He also disclosed that discussions are underway to review the Capitation Grant to reflect current economic conditions.
On teachers’ welfare, Dr. Apaak said government has improved the regularity of Responsibility Allowance payments for headteachers and is consulting stakeholders on increasing the allowance in a fiscally sustainable manner.
He emphasised that the welfare of headteachers remains central to government’s education agenda because they serve not only as instructional leaders but also as financial managers, counsellors, community liaisons and policy implementers.
The Deputy Minister further announced that government has approved a revised basic school curriculum following an extensive review by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA).
The new curriculum will make Ghanaian languages the medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Primary Three, introduce computational and quantitative thinking, integrate agriculture into science and strengthen learning in language, mathematics, science and cultural literacy. He urged headteachers to embrace the reforms to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
He assures teachers and headteachers that government remains committed to working with education stakeholders to improve teaching conditions, strengthen school governance and build a more resilient basic education system capable of producing quality outcomes for Ghanaian children.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
