The Coalition of Unemployed Trained Teachers has voiced strong disappointment over Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu’s recent announcement to recruit 6,100 teachers, describing the plan as inadequate and far below the expectations of qualified graduates.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 20, the coalition—representing more than 17,000 unemployed College of Education graduates—said the announcement has deepened the uncertainty and anxiety among graduates. The group stressed that every qualified teacher should be given the opportunity to serve in Ghana’s education sector, rather than limiting recruitment to a small portion.
“We are gathered today to express our disappointment and frustration with the Minister’s announcement regarding the recruitment of only 6,100 teachers. We firmly believe this approach does not meet our expectations,” the statement said.
On Wednesday, November 19, the coalition held a peaceful protest demanding the mass recruitment of all 2023 College of Education graduates. They criticised the lack of transparency in the Minister’s statement and called for clear criteria and a comprehensive roadmap for recruitment.
“Will the recruitment follow a specific protocol, or will it be carried out in a manner that sidelines many deserving graduates?” they questioned.
The group described the situation as unprecedented in the history of Ghana’s teacher training, noting that thousands of qualified graduates remain in uncertainty. They urged the Minister to uphold fairness and transparency to ensure that all deserving teachers are offered employment.
“Every qualified graduate deserves the chance to serve, and we insist that the Minister prioritise our employment,” the coalition added, rejecting the Minister’s claim that they were “striking teachers.”
The coalition also warned that it will return to the streets within the next two weeks if the Ministry fails to provide a clear and detailed recruitment roadmap.
