GES Announces Fast-Track Programme to Upgrade All Non-Professional Teachers to Professional Status

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced a nationwide policy intervention aimed at upgrading all non-professional teachers to full professional status, in line with the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023).

In an official circular dated 20th November 2025 and signed by Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs.), Acting Deputy Director-General (Management Services), the GES directed all Regional Directors of Education to take note and ensure dissemination of the new directive.

NTC Begins Issuance of Subject-Based Teaching Licenses

The announcement follows a letter from the National Teaching Council (NTC) referencing the ongoing transition to subject-based teacher licensing across the country. According to the GES, teaching licenses issued to teachers in 2021 have expired, prompting the NTC to start issuing new subject-specific licenses.

However, the NTC emphasized that non-professional teachers currently do not qualify for any form of licensing, as stipulated under Section 67(1) of Act 1023, which states:

“A person shall not practice as a teacher unless the person is registered as a teacher in accordance with this Act.”

Fast-Track PGDE Programme Introduced

To resolve this challenge and ensure compliance with national education regulations, the NTC has partnered with four major universities to roll out a fast-track Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme. The collaborating institutions include:

• University of Cape Coast (UCC)
• University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
• Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED)
• University for Development Studies (UDS)

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The specially designed programme will run during the next school vacation, spanning 16 to 20 weeks, and is being offered at a subsidized fee of GH¢5,000 for the entire duration.

Financial Support for Younger Teachers

In a further boost to accessibility, Transforming Teacher Education and Learning (T-TEL) has agreed to provide financial support for teachers below the age of 35 who enroll in the programme.

Registration Deadline: 30th November 2025

All non-professional teachers, both in public and private schools, are required to register via the link provided by the NTC: https://forms.gle/A5emi8Xd2zm5NGY7

The GES stressed the urgency of compliance to enable all affected teachers to become eligible for licensing and continue practicing legally.

Additional details regarding the programme structure and schedules will be communicated subsequently.

The memo was copied to key education stakeholders, including the Ag. Deputy Director-General (Q&A), the Director of HRMD, the Registrar of the NTC, and the Director of Schools and Instructions Division.

This nationwide upgrading initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening professional standards in Ghana’s education sector and ensuring that every classroom is managed by a fully trained and licensed teacher.

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