The Ghana Education Service has directed its regional directors to post all newly trained teachers to the various schools across the country, although the government has not given the financial clearance.
Again, the teachers are not to be issued with appointment letters to that effect, and will also not be allowed entry to the classrooms of their respective schools to teach, a circular issued and signed by the GES Deputy Director General, Mrs Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam said.
The teachers are “not to be in the classrooms to teach until financial clearance has been granted by the Ministry of Finance,” the statement seen by 3News stated.
Dated September 19, it further asked all metro, municipal and district directors of education to submit the returns on the postings of the newly trained teachers to their respective regional directors for onward submission to the GES headquarters not later than September 30, 2016.
The circular also warned all MMD directors and Senior High Schools who are recruiting staff with recourse to the GES or the Finance Ministry to cease, saying “they are to note that the embargo on recruitment is still in force. Anyone who recruits does so at his/her own risk”
It further reminded all metro, municipal and district directors of education that they do not have the mandate to re-engage and re-instate any teacher or staff.
Hope and trust
Explaining the rationale behind the appointment without letters, the Public Relations officer of the GES, Rev. Jonathan Betteh told 3News the decision is to give the newly trained teachers “hope and trust that they will be employed”.
He explained that the Financial Ministry informed the GES to put on hold the recruitment of the teachers until financial clearance is given, noting the latest move by the GES is to assure the teachers of guaranteed employment.
Asked why the teachers are being employed without proper employment letters, Rev. Betteh said they want to avoid the situation of “arrears” in salaries that have characterized the public sector.
By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana
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