GNAT Calls for Decentralization of Promotion Exams and Improved Teacher Welfare
The Agona West Municipal Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr. Daniel Lavoe, has made a strong appeal to the government to decentralize the administration of promotion examinations for teachers.
Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial District Delegates Conference in Agona Swedru, he proposed the establishment of district-level examination centers to alleviate the logistical and financial burdens currently placed on educators.
The conference, held under the theme “Ghana Education Service @50: Achievements, Challenges and the Way Forward,” brought together key stakeholders in education to discuss critical issues affecting the sector. Mr. Lavoe used the platform to highlight the pressing challenges teachers face, particularly in the Agona West Municipality.
“Our schools are severely lacking basic infrastructure and teaching materials, while teachers face heavy workloads, low pay, and dwindling motivation,” Mr. Lavoe stated. “These issues greatly undermine the quality of education we strive to deliver.”
He cited the long distances many teachers must travel to take promotion exams as a particular hardship, calling on the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education to bring examination centers closer to where teachers live and work.
Beyond the issue of exams, Mr. Lavoe also expressed concern over broader systemic issues plaguing the education system in the district. He lamented the poor state of school buildings, the shortage of essential teaching resources, and the lack of incentives to retain and motivate teachers—especially those posted to remote areas.
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He called for the swift implementation of the collective bargaining agreement between the government and teacher unions and advocated for a comprehensive review of the current teacher posting system. According to Mr. Lavoe, empowering district directors to assign teachers based on actual school vacancies would help prevent the problem of some schools being overstaffed while others suffer from chronic shortages.
“Decentralizing teacher postings will help ensure a more balanced distribution of educators and ease the strain on staff in overstretched schools,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for targeted support and motivation for teachers working in rural and underserved areas. “When teachers feel supported and motivated, they are better equipped to impart knowledge effectively to their students,” Mr. Lavoe added.
In response, the Agona West Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Eric Gyamfi Odoom, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured participants that the Municipal Assembly is actively working to address them.
“We are implementing measures to tackle the infrastructure deficits in our schools and remain committed to improving teacher welfare,” Mr. Odoom stated.
As Ghana marks 50 years of the Ghana Education Service, the call from Agona West underscores the need for a renewed focus on equitable resource distribution, teacher support, and decentralization as key pillars to drive educational progress.
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