Ghana is set to send teachers to Jamaica to help alleviate a significant shortage of educators in the island’s public school system. This move comes in response to the Jamaican Ministry of Education and Youth’s increased efforts to recruit teachers from abroad to fill vacant positions.
Permanent Secretary Dr. Kasan Troupe announced that both Ghana and the Philippines have expressed a strong interest in providing educators to Jamaica.Initial talks have already been held between the Ghanaian ambassador and the Jamaican Ministry of Education.
A delegation from Ghana is expected to visit Jamaica during the week of August 11 to finalize the details.“What is interesting with this discussion, colleagues, is that they (the teachers) are interested in working for the same emoluments as we offer to our teachers in Jamaica,” Dr. Troupe stated.She also emphasized the positive impact of this development, mentioning that some volunteers have expressed interest in helping to address the shortage, particularly in mathematics and the sciences. These Ghanaian teachers have reportedly agreed to work for the same salaries as local Jamaican educators, which Dr. Troupe described as a significant step forward.
This initiative is part of a larger strategy by the Jamaican government to ensure that schools are fully staffed for the upcoming academic year. Dr. Troupe stressed that while international recruitment efforts continue, Jamaican schools are not required to hire foreign teachers but are being provided with additional options to ensure adequate staffing.“Our responsibility as a ministry is to provide options for our principals… We are not forcing, but our schools must have options as they try to make sure their staff members are in place for the new academic year,” she explainedThis collaboration between Ghana and Jamaica underscores a proactive approach to tackling educational challenges and ensuring that students receive quality education, despite the ongoing shortage of educators.