Do Basic and Senior high school teachers in Ghana earn the same salary under GES? – Check Here

For years, one of the most widely debated issues in Ghana’s education sector has been whether teachers at the Basic School level (Kindergarten, Primary, Junior High School) and their counterparts at the Senior High School (SHS) level receive different salaries.

Contrary to the widespread belief that SHS teachers earn more, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) make it clear: all teachers are paid the same salaries based on rank and qualification, regardless of whether they teach at Basic or SHS level.

Unified Salary System

Teacher salaries in Ghana are regulated under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), which was introduced in 2010 to streamline pay across the public sector.

This framework places all teachers—whether at Basic or SHS—on the same salary grid.

Pay is therefore determined by the following:

• Rank within GES – Ranks such as Superintendent II, Superintendent I, Principal Superintendent, Assistant Director II, Assistant Director I, Deputy Director, and Director define salary levels.

• Qualification – A Diploma, Bachelor’s degree, or Master’s degree influences the entry point on the salary scale.

• Years of Service and Promotion – Salary increases are linked to promotions and years of continuous service rather than the level of school where the teacher is stationed.

In other words, a Principal Superintendent with a Bachelor’s degree teaching at a Junior High School in Shama will earn exactly the same salary as a Principal Superintendent with a Bachelor’s degree teaching at a Senior High School in Tamale.

Why the Misconception Exists

Many assume that Senior High School teachers earn more simply because:

• They often hold higher academic qualifications (such as Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees), which naturally place them at higher entry points on the salary structure.

• Some SHS teachers take up additional responsibilities like housemaster/mistress roles, head of department duties, or supervision of boarding facilities, which come with allowances.

• Senior High Schools are usually better resourced compared to Basic Schools, creating the impression that teachers there are better compensated.

However, these differences are not due to the school type but rather to qualification, rank, and extra duties.

Who Teaches Where?

Even though salaries are standardized, the category of graduates posted to the different levels varies:

• College of Education Graduates: These teachers are trained primarily in pedagogy for Basic Schools. They specialize in teaching at Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior High School. Their training prepares them to lay strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and other core subjects.

• University Graduates: Graduates from traditional universities (e.g., University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba, and University of Ghana) who pursue subject-specific degrees such as Physics, Economics, Literature, or Government are usually posted to Senior High Schools. Their specialization makes them better suited for handling advanced content at the SHS level.

This distinction often leads to the perception that SHS teachers should be paid more.

However, both groups are placed on the same salary scale as long as they hold similar qualifications.

For example, a B.Ed graduate from a College of Education teaching JHS earns the same as a B.A. graduate teaching SHS, provided they are on the same rank.

Rank Differences in GES

The GES salary system is rank-based, which means differences in pay arise only from promotion or qualification upgrades.

The major ranks include:

• Superintendent II (Diploma holders – entry level)

• Superintendent I

• Principal Superintendent (Bachelor’s degree holders often enter here)

• Assistant Director II

• Assistant Director I

• Deputy Director

• Director II and Director I

Every teacher, regardless of being at Basic or SHS, climbs this ladder over time.

The longer one stays in service and the higher one upgrades their qualifications, the more they earn.

Conclusion

The facts are clear: teachers in Ghana under the GES receive the same salaries whether they teach at Basic or Senior High School level.

Differences only emerge based on rank, qualification, and additional responsibilities, not the type of school.

SEE ALSO: Ranks and salary of newly recruited teachers in Ghana Education Service – 2025