The private school teacher crisis: A silent exodus

This year, advertisements promoting teacher recruitment have become more frequent, particularly for private schools than ever before. While I am pleased for job seekers discovering these opportunities, I empathize with proprietors and proprietresses who tirelessly seek replacements. Regrettably, teachers often depart abruptly during a term, sometimes without warning, leaving classrooms without a teacher.

Some argue that school owners are entitled to such behavior. Nevertheless, it is important to note that two wrongs do not constitute a right. When teachers leave without notice and schools dismiss staff without fairness, children suffer the consequences. There is clearly something fundamentally wrong with the system. Many private schools fail to provide teachers with appointment letters, SSNIT contributions, or adequate welfare packages.

A teacher might dedicate years to a school only to be asked not to return the following term due to a drop in enrollment. How can one build a future on such uncertain conditions?

Furthermore, there is the matter of pay. Some graduate teachers earn between GH¢800 and GH¢1,200 while handling multiple subjects, grading numerous exercise books, acting as class teachers, supervising extracurricular activities, and providing counseling to students. For many, the workload and compensation do not align. However, the irony is not lost on anyone.

On the streets, there is an abundance of graduates, but in classrooms, there is a scarcity. Why is this the case? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that graduates are not merely seeking employment; they are looking for dignity, a workplace where they are respected, paid on time, and granted a sense of security. Private schools must understand that teachers are their most valuable asset, not their most affordable labor.

Contracts, SSNIT payments, and timely salaries matter. Even modest welfare incentives can make a significant difference. Teachers also have a responsibility. If one must leave, do so professionally and not punish children for management's shortcomings. If we do not address this broken relationship between teachers and private schools, the ongoing "Teachers Wanted" posters and social media alerts will persist, while the quality of education quietly deteriorates. Because two wrongs have never made a right.