The Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has assured the public that the government is committed to implementing the proposed 20% allowance for teachers who accept postings to rural areas.
The initiative, first announced by the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is aimed at addressing disparities in education access between rural and urban communities.
Speaking at the launch of the NDC’s manifesto in Winneba, Mahama emphasized that the incentive would encourage more teachers and health workers to serve in underserved areas.
Currently, many professionals prefer urban centers, leaving rural communities with inadequate educational and healthcare services. To address this, the government plans to offer a 20% salary allowance to teachers and health workers willing to work in these areas.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu stated, “This is not an unfulfilled promise. We are fully committed to ensuring that the 20% allowance for rural teachers is honoured.”
He further revealed that discussions with the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development are ongoing regarding fiscal adjustments to support teacher accommodations in rural areas.
The disbursement of the Common Fund is expected to provide additional resources to improve living conditions for teachers in these communities.
“If we secure approval from the President and Cabinet, we should be able to roll out this initiative within the year 2025,” the minister assured.
Additionally, Hon. Iddrisu expressed optimism that ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could lead to the removal of the cap on the GET Fund, allowing for increased investment in the education sector.
“I promise to ensure fairness in the distribution of resources and to remain transparent in my engagements on this matter,” he added.
The initiative, if successfully implemented, is expected to bridge the education gap between urban and rural areas and enhance the quality of education in underserved regions.
