Government to Pay 3,200 Teachers Owed Nearly 10 Months of Salaries — Education Minister Confirms
The Ministry of Education has announced that government is taking steps to pay over 3,200 teachers who have been working without salaries for close to ten months.
Speaking at the launch of the ADEA Triennale on Education Conference, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu revealed that Cabinet has given approval for the payment of arrears owed to newly recruited teachers from both Colleges of Education and universities.
“A few weeks ago, myself and the Chief Director received a petition from some teachers who were unhappy with the government over their unpaid salaries. I am happy to announce that Cabinet has approved the 6,200 teachers to be absorbed,” Mr. Iddrisu stated.
He added that the payment process will soon begin and will include all arrears. “We will give them back pay. Cabinet has granted the Minister of Finance approval to spend about 1.1 billion Ghana cedis to absorb categories of health workers and teachers,” he disclosed.
The announcement follows persistent complaints from members of the Coalition of Unpaid Teachers, made up of graduates from Colleges of Education and universities, who had gone several months without pay. The group petitioned both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance on September 30, seeking immediate action.
Mr. Iddrisu further revealed that the Ministry is also working on an equity distribution initiative aimed at upgrading selected senior high schools to ensure fairness in student placement. According to him, some Category B schools will be upgraded to Category A status to reduce competition for limited spaces in elite schools.
He explained that the plan, scheduled for implementation in 2026, will convert at least ten Category C schools to Category B and ten Category B schools to Category A. The move will be accompanied by infrastructure expansion, including new classroom blocks, dormitories, and enhanced teaching and learning materials.
“The ministry acknowledges the challenge when 76,000 vacancies exist but 393,000 qualified students seek to fill them. It’s a near impossibility,” he said, stressing the need for adequate budgetary allocation to make the policy effective.
Mr. Iddrisu assured that both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance are committed to resolving the salary arrears and improving equity in school placements, in line with government’s broader education reform agenda.
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