The Ghana Education Service (GES) Diploma and Graduate Recruitment situation has received fresh and authoritative clarity following the release of the 2025 Statutory National Council Communiqué issued by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).
The communiqué, delivered at the end of GNAT’s National Council Meeting held from 14th to 20th November 2025 at the GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations Studies (GNAT-IRIRS), outlines decisive actions and expectations for the education sector, with teacher recruitment emerging as one of the most urgent national priorities.
This article presents a comprehensive breakdown of the communiqué, with focused attention on the latest GES recruitment updates for diploma and graduate teachers, teacher welfare improvements, and structural reforms expected in both GES and TVET institutions.
GES Diploma and Graduate Recruitment: Latest National Update
One of the most significant highlights of the GNAT communiqué is the explicit call for immediate recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff into the Ghana Education Service and the TVET Service. The National Council emphasized that the staffing shortfalls in pre-tertiary schools have reached critical levels, undermining effective teaching and learning nationwide.
GNAT therefore directed the GES/TVET Service to fast-track the recruitment of new teachers, including:
- Diploma teachers awaiting posting
- Graduate teachers seeking employment in the public sector
- TVET teachers
- Non-teaching professionals required for school operations
This call for accelerated recruitment signals that additional recruitment batches are expected in the coming months. The Council’s position reinforces widespread expectations that the Ministry of Education and GES will announce new clearance, posting schedules, and appointment timelines soon. For thousands of trained but unemployed teachers, this update represents the strongest official indication yet that recruitment is imminent.
Teacher Promotions: GES Urged to Act Immediately
In a related development affecting teacher career progression, the National Council reaffirmed the President’s directive that the GES must immediately process pending promotions. These include promotions from:
- Deputy Director to Director II
- Director II to Director I
GNAT emphasized that delays in implementing these promotions negatively affect teacher morale and administrative efficiency. The expectation is that the GES will issue official promotion letters without further delay.
Deprived Area Allowance: 27% of Monthly Gross Salary
The Council welcomed the President’s earlier promise to introduce a deprived area allowance amounting to 27% of teachers’ monthly gross salary. The communiqué stressed that implementation must begin without delay, as this incentive is crucial to attracting and retaining teachers in underserved communities.
Pension Security: Concern Over GESOPS Arrears
A key issue raised relates to the non-reimbursement of ten months of deductions owed to the Ghana Education Service Occupational Pension Scheme (GESOPS) by the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department. GNAT warned that this situation significantly reduces pension lump sums for retiring teachers.
The Council demanded:
- Immediate payment of all outstanding arrears
- Settlement of the accrued 3% penalty
- Assurance of future compliance to protect teachers’ retirement benefits
Call for Dedicated Public Basic Education Fund
The communiqué highlighted persistent funding challenges in basic education and urged Government to create a dedicated fund to safeguard quality public education in Ghana. According to the Council, sustainable financing is essential to improve infrastructure, teaching materials, and overall learning outcomes.
Youth Unemployment: Urgent National Call
GNAT expressed deep concern about rising youth unemployment, noting its link to social instability. The Council urged Government, private sector actors, and development partners to intensify collaborative efforts aimed at reducing unemployment and supporting national development.
SSNIT Legacy Pension Liabilities
After extensive deliberation, the Council resolved that Ghana must off-load SSNIT legacy pension liabilities immediately, arguing that this is necessary to protect the long-term viability of the pension system.
Environmental and Galamsey Crisis
The communiqué also addressed environmental degradation caused by illegal mining (galamsey). GNAT called for stronger Government commitment, enhanced NADMO capacity, and the establishment of special courts to expedite galamsey-related prosecutions.
Financial Constraints in SHS/TVET Schools
The Council acknowledged the severe financial difficulties facing SHS and TVET institutions. GNAT called for urgent release of operational funds to alleviate the burden on school heads and ensure effective running of schools.
Student Indiscipline and School Security
Citing rising cases of riots, hooliganism, drug abuse, and possession of weapons in schools, GNAT reiterated the need for:
- Deployment of trained security personnel to all SHS/TVET schools
- Establishment of a dedicated unit within the Ghana Police Service for school-related security cases
The Council noted that the situation has already resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.
Teacher Misconduct and Professional Accountability
GNAT expressed concern over increasing incidents of teacher indiscipline, especially inappropriate conduct involving learners. It called on the GES to apply the Code of Conduct firmly and impartially. The Association reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding learners and restoring public trust in the teaching profession.
Furniture Shortages in Schools
The communiqué reported critical shortages of furniture in classrooms, dining halls and administrative offices. GNAT urged Government to address this issue immediately to facilitate effective teaching and learning.
Transition to Single-Track SHS/TVET
The Council welcomed Government’s commitment to transition all double-track schools to single-track and pledged full cooperation with the GES and the Ministry of Education to support the process. This transition will require increased budgetary allocations for the Free SHS/TVET policy.
GES/SIC Policy: Compulsory Enrollment Must Stop
GNAT referred to Section 70(1) of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and called on GES to discontinue the compulsory enrollment of teachers in the GES/SIC Insurance Policy without their consent.
Collective Agreement: Full Implementation Required
The Council stated that many provisions of the existing Collective Agreement for GES teaching staff remain unimplemented. It demanded immediate action and also called for the development of a corresponding Collective Agreement for TVET staff.
Support for Teachers Accompanying BECE Candidates
The communiqué recommended that the Ministry of Education and GES provide allowances and proper arrangements for teachers who accompany learners to BECE examination centres.
Conclusion
The 2025 GNAT Statutory National Council Communiqué provides the most authoritative update on the current state of Ghana’s education sector. For many teachers and jobseekers, the most critical takeaway is that GES Diploma and Graduate Recruitment is now a top national priority, with GNAT explicitly directing the GES/TVET Service to expedite hiring processes.
As stakeholders await official recruitment announcements, it is expected that the Ministry of Education and the GES will issue further directives in the coming weeks. The communiqué also reinforces commitments to teacher promotions, allowances, pensions, infrastructure, school security and long-term educational reforms.
Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org
