The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has committed to integrating teachers trained at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) into the Ghana Education Service (GES).
This commitment was made during a courtesy call by a delegation from UEW, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, on Monday, 24th February, 2025.
He acknowledged that the Ministry of Education has not been optimising the use of UEW graduates in the recruitment of teachers, despite the comprehensive training they have received.
The Minister assured UEW that he had taken notice of the situation and would address it to ensure that UEW-trained teachers are properly absorbed into the system. This development is expected to bring relief to UEW graduates who have been facing challenges in securing employment with the GES.
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| Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual (5th from left) addressing the Minister of Education on crucial matters impacting the university |
The UEW delegation highlighted several critical issues affecting the university, including challenges with Governing Council appointments, land encroachment and legal disputes, staffing shortages, and employment concerns. The Minister acknowledged these challenges and assured the delegation of his ministry's willingness to address them.
Additionally, the Minister announced that the National Research Fund would be rolled out later in the year, providing funding opportunities for academic research in various fields. He encouraged UEW to take advantage of the initiative to support its research activities. He also addressed UEW’s concerns regarding the difficulty in replacing retiring or departing staff due to government clearance requirements. He revealed that he had already raised the issue with the Minister of Finance and was working on a solution.
Hon. Iddrisu acknowledged UEW’s persistent challenge with land encroachment and expressed his full support in addressing this matter. He assured the institution that he would take the necessary actions to safeguard its lands from external interference. "Should there be any correspondence that I need to submit to the Lands Commission to ensure the protection of the university's lands, please inform me. I am prepared to instruct the Lands Commission to honour UEW’s ownership of its lands in accordance with Ghanaian law," he stated.
The Minister addressed concerns on the composition of university governing councils, stating that all councils will be reconstituted by 30th March, 2025. He hinted that he had already engaged the President of the Republic and other key stakeholders to ensure the selection process complies with the law.
“I have instructed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and the Ministry to request institutional representation directly from the universities for the nominations. Once GTEC submits the nominations, we will incorporate them within the legal framework. Our role will be to appoint only one woman, one man, and the chairperson,” he explained.
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| UEW delegation and staff at the Ministry of Education in a pose following the meeting |
The Minister expressed his keenness to collaborate with UEW to enhance higher education in Ghana. He assured the university’s leadership of the government’s commitment to expanding access to education, improving governance, and ensuring financial sustainability for higher institutions.
"I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you. I assure you that I will make every effort to expand access to higher education, enhance its relevance, and ensure both equity and quality," he expressed.
The Education Minister's pledge is a significant step towards addressing the unemployment concerns of UEW graduates and ensuring that they are utilised effectively in the education sector. The Ministry of Education can tap into their expertise and promote quality education in Ghana, integrating UEW-trained teachers into the GES system.
uew.edu.gh.
Source: UEW
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