Gov’t to recruit 10,000 more teachers in 2027 – Haruna Iddrisu

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans for the government to recruit an additional 10,000 teachers to address staffing gaps in basic and secondary schools.

Speaking an Accra- based TV station on Friday, September 11, 2026, Mr Iddrisu said funding for the recruitment would be provided for in the 2027 national budget.

He also outlined plans to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), describing it as a key tool for tackling unemployment and underemployment.

According to him, the current situation where some TVET institutions placed greater emphasis on theory than practical training must change.

“TVET remains the surest way to reduce unemployment and underemployment. But you go to a TVET school and it is 90 per cent theory and 10 per cent practical. That is unacceptable,” he said.

On infrastructure, the Minister disclosed that the 2027 GETFund formula would include a policy directive to allocate between US$250 million and US$300 million towards expanding facilities in 10 Category A schools.

He said government also intended to build 10 new model Category A schools and upgrade 20 Category B schools to Category A status.

Mr Iddrisu further maintained that there were more than 850,000 vacancies available nationwide and that every qualified student was entitled to secondary school admission.

He described the current placement difficulties as largely a matter of choice, rather than a lack of available space.

Addressing the ongoing challenges with the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), the Minister said the government inherited the system and had introduced improvements, although difficulties remained in placing students in their preferred schools.

His comments followed criticism from former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who had reportedly offered to advise the current administration on resolving the placement challenges.

Mr Iddrisu questioned the offer, arguing that Dr Adutwum was responsible for the system during his tenure.

“If he did it better, then why are we here? We would not have been struggling for placement,” he stated.

He cited the 2026 placement exercise, noting that about 328,000 students selected Category A schools, while only 76,000 vacancies were available in those schools.

“Show me any minister, including Dr Adutwum, who can fix that problem by placing 313,000 in 76,000 vacancies. You have a miracle to do that,” he said.

“So, when he says come to me for advice, what advice?” Mr Iddrisu asked.

By Agnes Kusi