Gov’t to introduce 20 percent allowance for teachers in rural areas
President John Dramani Mahama says his government is considering plans to implement a 20 percent allowance for teachers who agree to serve in rural schools across the country.
Speaking at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered in Parliament Mahama stated that this initiative was part of his administration’s efforts to retain and motivate teachers, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
His Excellency also revealed plans to launch a “Teacher Dabr3” initiative aimed at improving teachers’ accommodation in rural areas.
President Mahama further emphasised that no new school would be built in the country without provisions for teachers’ accommodation.
“District Assemblies would be involved in this scheme to ensure that the teachers are present and teaching. This scheme will reward such teachers for their sacrifice and ensuring quality education nationwide,” he added.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mahama said “It is important to continue to retain and motivate teachers in all schools, especially in rural and underserved areas. The government will begin plans for the implementation of the 20% allowance for teachers who agree to serve in rural schools.
District Assemblies would be involved in this scheme to ensure that the teachers are present and teaching. This scheme will reward such teachers for their sacrifice and ensure quality education nationwide.
As part of our Teacher Dabr3 initiative, the construction of teacher accommodation units to improve welfare and attract teachers to rural areas will commence this year.
Mr Speaker, once again for emphasis, and for the record, I, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, will not cancel the free SHS programme. I am determined to make it better by improving its implementation.”
Commenting on beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School programme, he said “For the record, students who have benefitted from the free SHS since its inception are about 3.4 million.
The figure of 5.1 million beneficiaries, as previously put out by the Akufo-Addo government, was an exaggerated and false narrative calculated to achieve political credit.
While it has improved access, the implementation of free SHS leaves much to be desired. The outcomes of the ongoing National Education Forum will guide our reforms in this sector.”
