Education advocate, Azure Johnson Samadu, has called on the Minister of Finance to urgently grant financial clearance to the 2023 batch of trained teachers awaiting posting after completing their mandatory national service.
In a letter addressed to the Honourable Minister, Samadu emphasised that the prolonged delay in granting clearance has left many young graduates anxious and uncertain about their future, while also creating room for political criticism.
“This timely intervention will not only alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty faced by these young individuals but also prevent unnecessary criticism from the opposition party,” Samadu wrote.
The introduction of the degree programme in colleges of education under the former NPP government initially raised concerns among Ghanaians about whether automatic postings of teachers would continue.
However, the first batch of degree graduates was posted on time after completing national service, restoring confidence in the system.
Unfortunately, Samadu noted, the same cannot be said for the second cohort of degree graduates from public colleges of education.
According to him, despite them completing their one-year national service and acquiring their professional teaching licenses, many are still at home, awaiting postings.
According to Samadu, several engagements with education authorities, including a recent meeting with the Minister of Education, provided assurances that the necessary processes for posting had been completed, with only financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance pending.
“A month after this assurance, there is nothing to indicate that this batch of teachers will be posted this year,” Samadu lamented.
He further stressed that prompt action would demonstrate government’s commitment to education, uphold promises to support youth development, and protect its credibility from opposition attacks.
“By granting financial clearance to the teacher trainees, it will go a long way to show empathy towards the plight of these young individuals and their families,” he stated.
The delay, if not resolved swiftly, risks creating a backlog in teacher deployment, potentially affecting schools across the country when classes resume.
Samadu concluded by urging the finance minister to expedite the process to prevent further hardship and preserve public confidence in the government’s educational policies.
His letter below;
Honourable Minister,
I am writing to respectfully urge you to consider granting financial clearance to the 2023 batch of teacher trainees.
This timely intervention will not only alleviate the anxiety and uncertainty faced by these young individuals but also prevent unnecessary criticism from the opposition party, NPP.
As we are well aware, the teacher trainees have been eagerly awaiting their financial clearance, which is essential for their educational pursuits.
Unfortunately, the delay in granting this clearance has created an opportunity for the opposition party to discredit your government.
One undeniable truth is that the NPP government now in opposition introduced the degree in colleges of education where many Ghanaians doubted the continuation of the automatic posting of teachers from colleges because of the new development.
To detox the minds of Ghanaians, the first batch of the degree graduates after having finished their one year mandatory national service were posted on time to avoid backlog in the teaching fraternity.
Unfortunately, that is not the story to the second batch of the degree graduates from public colleges of education.
This cohort of graduates after finishing their one year mandatory national service and having acquired their teaching license are still sitting at home without posting.After series of engagement with authorities, and recently with the minister of education, leadership of this group were told by the education minister that all was set for posting to take place but needed financial clearance from the minister of finance.
A month after this assurance there is nothing showing that this batch of teachers will be posted this year.
Mr. Minister, I firmly believe that your prompt intervention in this matter will demonstrate your government’s commitment to the education and well-being of its citizens.
By granting financial clearance to the teacher trainees, it will go a long way to show empathy towards the plight of these young individuals and their families.
It will also uphold your government’s promise to support education and youth development and finally pre-empt potential criticism from the opposition party, thereby maintaining the credibility and reputation of your government.
In light of the above, I respectfully request that you expedite the process of granting financial clearance to the 2023 batch of teacher trainees.
Your prompt attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated by the affected individuals, their families, and the general public.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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