The President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Rev. Isaac Owusu, has called for parliamentary legislation to protect the reinstated Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), describing them as essential to inclusive governance in Ghana’s education system.
Speaking during the launch of the “Teaching Together” workshop—a joint initiative between GNAT and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF)—Rev. Owusu emphasized the need for a legal framework that safeguards PTAs against potential future government reversals.
“The restoration of PTAs effectively returns the management of schools to the community. Without legal backing, their future remains uncertain,” he stated during the workshop at the GNAT Institute for Research and Industrial Relations in Abankro.
A Return to Community-Led Education
The Ghana Education Service (GES) officially reinstated PTAs in all pre-tertiary institutions on Thursday, July 17, 2025, following a directive by President John Dramani Mahama, who earlier labeled the suspension of PTAs as “unacceptable.”
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This move reverses the 2019 policy under the previous administration that replaced PTAs with less empowered Parent Associations (PAs) during the implementation of the Free SHS policy.
Rev. Owusu urged Ghana’s Parliament to pass legislation that provides legal protection for PTAs, ensuring their sustainability regardless of political changes.
“Without legislative protection, the risk remains that future governments might arbitrarily dismantle them again,” he added.
The Critical Role of PTAs
Historically, PTAs in Ghana have contributed significantly to:
School infrastructure development
Provision of learning materials
Enforcement of discipline
Teacher support and extra tuition classes
Research by UNESCO and local think tanks highlights the importance of community involvement in school governance, with strong PTAs positively influencing academic performance and overall school management.
Building Teacher Capacity
The “Teaching Together” workshop brought together over 300 teachers from the Northern, Bono, Ahafo, and Upper West Regions. The program, based on the principle of “teachers teaching teachers to teach,” focuses on:
Inclusive education
Gender-responsive pedagogy
Technology integration
Cultural competence and classroom management
This training is part of a larger initiative that will benefit 600+ educators nationwide.
Teacher Welfare and Systemic Challenges
Rev. Owusu also appealed to Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam to prioritize education funding in the upcoming budget.
“Teacher welfare must be a central concern in fiscal policy. Low motivation and poor infrastructure remain major challenges,” he said.
A 2022 GES report showed that nearly 30% of rural basic schools suffer from a shortage of qualified teachers. Issues like multi-grade teaching, delayed allowances, and inadequate professional development continue to plague the sector.
GNAT, representing over 200,000 teachers, continues to champion reforms that enhance working conditions and educational outcomes.
source: myjoyonline
