GES Directs Regions to Identify Overstaffed Schools and Declare Excess Teachers

Ghana Education Service  (GES) has directed regions to identify overstaffed schools and declare excess teachers to improve equitable teacher distribution

Accra, Ghana | 8th July 2026—The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed Regional Directors of Education to identify and declare schools that are overstaffed as part of measures to ensure equitable distribution of teachers across public basic and second-cycle schools.

The directive, issued by the Director-General of GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, requires all Metro, Municipal, and District Education Directorates to conduct an assessment of staffing levels within their jurisdictions.

The exercise forms part of efforts by the Service to address imbalances in teacher distribution and improve effective utilisation of teaching personnel across the country.

GES Requests Details of Excess Teachers from District Directorates

According to the directive, Metro, Municipal and District Directors of Education are required to identify schools where the number of teachers exceeds the staffing requirements.

The Directors have also been instructed to provide detailed information on excess teachers using a prescribed template.

The information required includes:

• Names of excess teachers
• Staff identification numbers
• Teaching subject areas
• Other relevant details required by the Service

The completed templates are expected to be submitted to the respective Regional Directors for onward transmission to the Office of the Director-General.

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Exercise Aims to Improve Equitable Teacher Distribution

The GES explained that the identification exercise is intended to support the fair distribution of teachers across public schools.

Teacher shortages remain a challenge in some schools, particularly in rural and deprived communities, while other schools may have more teachers than required in certain subject areas.

By identifying excess staffing situations, the Service seeks to improve teacher allocation and ensure that schools receive personnel according to their actual needs.

The exercise is expected to support better planning, reduce staffing inequalities, and strengthen teaching and learning outcomes.

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Regional Directors Given Deadline for Submission

GES has instructed Regional Directors to ensure that completed submissions from the various education directorates reach the Office of the Director-General by Thursday, 23rd July 2026.

The Service urged all relevant officers to treat the exercise with urgency and provide accurate information to support effective decision-making.

The directive was copied to key officials including the GES Council Chairman, Deputy Directors-General, the Human Resource Management and Development Directorate, and Schools and Instructions Divisions.

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Why Teacher Redistribution Matters for Ghana’s Education System

Effective teacher distribution remains a major factor influencing education quality.

While some schools experience shortages that affect subject delivery and learning outcomes, others may have staffing levels that exceed their enrolment and instructional requirements.

A balanced deployment system allows education authorities to maximise available human resources while ensuring that underserved schools receive adequate teaching support.

The success of the exercise will depend on accurate data collection, transparency, and consideration of teachers’ professional circumstances.

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EducationGhana Analysis

The GES directive highlights the growing importance of data-driven teacher management within Ghana’s education system.

A reliable teacher distribution framework can help address inequalities between urban and rural schools while improving access to quality instruction.

However, any redistribution exercise must consider subject specialisation, school needs, teacher welfare, accommodation challenges, and the conditions of service of affected teachers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is GES identifying overstaffed schools?

GES is conducting the exercise to improve equitable distribution of teachers across public basic and second-cycle schools.

What information must districts provide about excess teachers?

Districts must provide names, staff identification numbers, teaching subject areas, and other required details.

When is the deadline for submission?

The completed templates must reach the Office of the Director-General through Regional Directors by Thursday, 23rd July 2026.

Does the directive mean teachers will automatically be transferred?

The directive is for identification and declaration of excess staffing situations. Any further administrative action will depend on GES procedures and decisions.

Source

Ghana Education Service (GES) Official Memorandum
Issued by Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General