Unemployed Trained Teachers Stage Protest in Accra, Demand Immediate Postings

Hundreds of unemployed trained teachers from the Colleges of Education poured onto the streets of Accra on Wednesday, November 19, to demand immediate postings after years of waiting. The demonstration, led by the Coalition of Unemployed Trained Teachers, comprised graduates from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts who say the government has failed to respond to their persistent appeals for employment.

According to the group, members have successfully completed all required processes, including passing the Teacher Licensure Examination and serving their mandatory national service, yet have not been posted to classrooms.

Graduates Lament Hardship and Frustration

Speaking to the media during the protest, Mintah Robert, one of the affected unemployed teachers, narrated the economic hardships they face as a result of the prolonged delay.

“I’ve just returned from a construction site where I’m working as a labourer. I went to training college because I wanted a stable job, not to struggle at home after completing my course. We want the government to post us as soon as possible,” he said.

He added that the lack of postings has forced some of their colleagues into dangerous and illegal activities in their struggle to survive.

“Some of our colleagues have been pushed into robbery, illegal mining and other unfortunate activities just to survive. We’re pleading with the government to help us,” he lamented.

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Tension at Ministry of Education

The situation intensified when the protesters arrived at the Ministry of Education to present their petition. A misunderstanding arose after the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) attempted to receive the petition on behalf of the Ministry.

The group rejected the gesture outright, insisting that their concerns must be received directly by the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, as a sign of seriousness and commitment to addressing their plight. The standoff caused tension at the Ministry’s premises, with the group vowing not to relent until their demands are met.

Call for Government Intervention

The Coalition of Unemployed Trained Teachers is calling on the government to urgently clear the backlog of trained teachers and provide permanent postings. They argue that while classrooms across the country continue to face teacher shortages, thousands of qualified graduates remain at home without employment.

The group has hinted at further demonstrations should authorities fail to act swiftly, stressing that the continuous delay is worsening poverty and insecurity among trained teachers.

The protest adds to the growing pressure on the government to address unemployment challenges within the education sector, especially among young graduates who were trained specifically to fill teaching gaps nationwide.

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