Qualified Teacher Shortage in Ghanaian Primary Schools

Schools in Ghana have persistently been facing shortage of teachers over the years. The study investigated the possible causes of the shortage of qualified teachers in Ghanaian primary schools with specific focus on how policies and practices on teacher education, deployment and challenges of retention contribute to the shortage situation. The main data collected for the study comprised pupils' enrollment trends and statistics on teacher training, deployment and attrition. It was confirmed that Ghanaian primary schools faced both real and disguised forms of teacher shortages in significant proportions. Whereas there were many classrooms with no teachers, many unqualified teachers were also used which tended to cover up the real magnitude of the shortage of qualified teachers in the schools. Quota ceilings set by government in respect of colleges of education admissions as well as the granting of study leave to teachers have been contributing significantly to teacher shortages at the primary schools. Consequently, granting of study leave and the payment of stipend which influences decisions on quota ceilings for admissions into teacher colleges need to be given a critical look.