The National Teaching Council (NTC), in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES), Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL), and five universities, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train and upgrade non-professional teachers into fully qualified professionals.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Education in Accra on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, bringing together key stakeholders in education to commit to closing the qualification gap in Ghana’s classrooms.
Under the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme, teachers currently in service without professional training will undergo structured pedagogical training. The initiative aims to ensure that every teacher, regardless of entry route, meets the National Teachers’ Standards and is equipped to deliver quality learning outcomes.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, stressed the urgency of the reform, noting that Ghana’s education transformation depends on teachers who are not only subject experts but also pedagogical experts.
“This MoU is about equity and excellence. Every child deserves a teacher trained to the highest standards. No more divide between ‘professional’ and ‘non-professional’ teachers,” he said.
He further indicated that government remains committed to investing in teacher education, adding that the Ministry is preparing to roll out a new housing initiative for teachers known as “Teacher Dabre.”
The Registrar of the NTC, Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, also explained the importance of the programme, noting that data shows thousands of teachers entered the classroom through alternative routes without formal training in pedagogy, assessment, and classroom management.
According to him, the gap has affected learner outcomes, and the new PGDE pathway is designed to address this by upskilling in-service teachers while they remain at post.
The PGDE programme will be delivered by the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), the University for Development Studies (UDS), the University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED), and the Catholic University of Ghana.
The MoU is also expected to strengthen long-term collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the participating universities. It provides a framework for joint research, curriculum alignment with the National Teachers’ Standards, and continuous professional development for teachers nationwide.
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