Master Jerry Akporhor, the Founder and Lead Educator of the Informed Teachers Network, has provided a definitive answer to one of the most sought-after questions currently circulating among Ghanaian teachers: Does the Ghana Education Service (GES) now allow study leave with pay for postgraduate or master’s programmes?
In a recent public statement, quoting from the GES collective Agreement 2024, Akporhor confirmed that the GES has officially expanded its study leave with pay policy to include postgraduate programmes.
“Yes. It now covers not only master’s degrees but also PhD programs, both locally and internationally,” he stated emphatically.
Akporhor explained that the current arrangement is both logical and necessary. “The minimum qualification for teachers is a Bachelor’s degree — a qualification that most teachers already possess. It would be unfair and counterproductive to limit study leave with pay to only Bachelor’s degree programmes,” he said.
He further argued that the government stands to benefit more from granting study leave for master’s students than for Bachelor’s students, since most master’s programmes last just one or two years, while most Bachelor’s programmes span four years.
“This means teachers can return to the classroom more quickly — in just a year or two — helping to address the issue of teacher shortages,” he added.
The GES Collective Agreement 2024 provides the legal and administrative backing for this policy shift.
Under Section 18.13 of the agreement, it states:
- “Study leave with or without pay may be granted to members by the Director General.”
- “Study leave with pay may be granted by the Director-General to members of the Service for approved courses from First degree to PhD including industrial and or professional qualifications.”
- “The grant of study leave with pay or without pay shall be governed by rules and regulations, relating to courses, duration, qualification, and bonding as may from time to time be laid down by the GES.”
- “Employees who are granted study leave with pay to study outside Ghana shall in addition to the Book Allowance, be paid Warm Clothing Allowance, the value of which shall be determined from time to time by Government.”
These provisions clearly affirm the inclusion of postgraduate studies under the study leave with pay scheme, provided the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and pursues an approved course.
Akporhor encouraged teachers to be assertive when applying.
“If you go to your office to apply for study leave with pay for a master’s programme and the officers turn you away, tell them ‘The First-Class Counsellor said they are witches, wizards, and enemies of progress,’” he quipped.
He also advised applicants to quote the relevant section of the GES Collective Agreement 2024 in their application letters to demonstrate awareness of the policy.
“Kindly quote this provision in the collective agreement in your application letter so that they know you’re informed,” he said.
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