Teachers who accept postings to rural areas to earn 20% salary increment – Dr. Apaak

Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has indicated that the government will provide accommodation and a 20 per cent salary incentive to encourage teachers to accept rural postings.

Addressing BECE awardees at the Ministry of Education in Accra on Monday, Dr. Apaak said the initiative forms part of efforts by President John Dramani Mahama and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu to reduce inequalities in basic education.

“The Minister for Education and the president are working very hard to ensure that we improve teaching and learning, particularly at the basic level. As you know, there are inequalities depending on where you are.

“So we have schools that are less endowed, we have schools that are also in the rural parts of this country, and we have schools where when we even post teachers, they are not willing to go because the schools are so remote and those environments are not attractive, but the government is very determined to address some of these challenges.”

He continued: “The President mentioned this during the State of the Nation Address on Friday. That is to help provide accommodation so that teachers would find it a lot easier to take up postings in rural communities.”

He added that financial incentives will complement the housing support.

“That is a policy that is going to allow teachers who take up postings in rural communities to receive 20 per cent on top of their gross salary as part of the motivation,” Dr. Apaak stated.

He explained that some schools remain unattractive due to their remote locations, making teacher deployment difficult.

“We have schools where when we even post teachers, they are not willing to go because the schools are so remote and those environments are not attractive,” he noted.

Dr. Apaak said combining accommodation and additional remuneration would help address the gap.

“If we can combine the provision of accommodation and some additional remuneration, it will make it easier for teachers to take up appointments in rural communities,” he said.

He stressed that the ultimate goal is to ensure equal opportunity for students across the country.

“So that students in Bunkpurugu, students in Fumbisi, students in Bachonsa can also have the opportunity to excel as you have, and someday they can also come to Accra.”