In an effort to tackle the employment challenges faced by graduates of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has promised to incorporate UEW-trained teachers into the Ghana Education Service (GES).
This pledge was made during a courtesy visit by a UEW delegation, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual. Hon. Iddrisu acknowledged that the Ministry of Education had not been fully leveraging the skills of UEW graduates in teacher recruitment, despite their extensive training.
The Minister assured the delegation that he had recognized the issue and would take steps to ensure that UEW-trained teachers are effectively integrated into the system. This development is expected to offer relief to UEW graduates who have struggled to secure employment with the GES.
Additionally, the UEW delegation raised several pressing issues affecting the university, including problems with Governing Council appointments, land encroachment, legal disputes, staffing shortages, and employment challenges. The Minister acknowledged these concerns and expressed his ministry’s readiness to address them.
In addition to addressing employment concerns, Hon. Iddrisu announced that the National Research Fund would be launched later this year, offering funding opportunities for academic research across various fields. He encouraged UEW to take advantage of this initiative to enhance its research efforts.
The Minister also responded to UEW’s concerns about the challenges in replacing retiring or departing staff due to government clearance requirements. He revealed that he had already raised the matter with the Minister of Finance and was working on a solution.
Furthermore, he expressed his full support in tackling UEW’s ongoing land encroachment issue, assuring the institution that he would take the necessary steps to protect its land.
Hon. Iddrisu expressed his eagerness to work with UEW to advance higher education in Ghana. He assured the university’s leadership of the government’s dedication to expanding educational access, improving governance, and ensuring the financial sustainability of higher education institutions.
“I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you. I promise to do my utmost to expand access to higher education, enhance its relevance, and ensure both equity and quality,” he stated. The Education Minister’s commitment is viewed as a crucial step toward addressing the unemployment challenges faced by UEW graduates and ensuring their effective utilization within the education sector.
