The Concerned University and Pre-2022 Colleges of Education Graduates have called on the government and the Ministry of Education to include them in the ongoing recruitment of education graduates.
The group, led by Convenor Emmanuel Donkor, highlighted their grave concern over the seeming exclusion of university diploma and degree graduates, as well as pre-2022 unrecruited colleges of education graduates, from the 2024 Ghana Education Service (GES) recruitment exercise.
“Education Graduates from universities and pre-2022 colleges of education, have noticed with grave concern the seeming attempt by the Government and the Ministry of Education to exclude university diploma and degree graduates, as well as pre-2022 unrecruited colleges of education graduates in respect of 2024 Ghana Education Service recruitment”.
Emmanuel Donkor, Convenor, Concerned University and Pre-2022 Colleges of Education Graduates
Financial Strain and Unfulfilled Promises
The group in its statement emphasized the financial strain placed on graduates who were compelled to pay over 500 Ghana cedis to write the National Teaching Council (NTC) examinations, despite the government owing several months of unpaid national service allowances at the time.
The Convenor of the Concerned University and Pre-2022 Colleges of Education Graduates, Emmanuel Donkor recounted that the failure of the government to include them in the ongoing 2024 Ghana Education Service recruitment is unfair, decrying the apparent neglect by the authorities.
He also expressed frustration and disappointment over the lack of communication and action from the government regarding the recruitment of university graduates, including degree and diploma certificate holders as well as Pre-2022 Colleges of Education graduates.
Academic Upgrades and Employment Opportunities
Furthermore, the group highlighted a critical issue concerning the ongoing discussions about making a first degree the minimum requirement to teach.
The statement pointed out that there were already diploma students studying at various universities before these discussions began, and many of these students are still pursuing their diplomas.
The group argued that it is a basic principle of good governance that the government assist with smooth academic upgrades by providing employment opportunities before implementing such significant changes in educational requirements.
They called on the government to recognize the efforts and qualifications of diploma students and ensure their inclusion in the recruitment process.
“We also wish to state that before the Government began discussions about making first degree a minimum requirement to teach, there were diploma students already studying at various universities.
“There are still diploma students studying at various universities. It is a basic principle of good governance, to assist with smooth academic upgrade in this context through employment opportunities before proceeding with such ideas.
Emmanuel Donkor, Convenor, Concerned University and Pre-2022 Colleges of Education Graduates
Demands for Fair Treatment and Immediate Action
The Concerned University and Pre-2022 Colleges of Education Graduates demanded fair treatment and urged the government to urgently give financial clearance for the recruitment of education graduates from universities and pre-2022 colleges of education, comprising both diploma and degree holders.
The statement emphasized that the majority of them have passed all their National Teaching Council examinations imposed on them by the government, underscoring the need for the government to take immediate action to expedite their inclusion in the ongoing 2024 Ghana Education Service recruitment of teachers.
The Convenor for the group Emmanuel Donkor in concluding his remarks expressed hope that the government will heed the group’s call and take prompt action to address its concerns.
He stressed the importance of the issue, not only for the graduates themselves but also for the overall quality and effectiveness of education in Ghana.
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