DPM welcomes offer of 300 Ghanaian teachers amid shortage

The government is welcoming the offer of up to 300 teachers from Ghana, insisting the initiative is aimed at addressing a critical shortage of educators while maintaining that Bahamians will be given first priority for available teaching positions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technology Chester Cooper issued the statement in response to concerns raised by the Bahamas Union of Teachers and the Free National Movement over the proposed recruitment.

Cooper said the Ministry of Education is facing a shortage of approximately 300 teachers, a situation he attributed to retirements, expiring contracts and the expansion of specialized subject areas including special education, technology, financial literacy, digital literacy and entrepreneurship.

"The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology welcomes the generous offer of cooperation of the Government of Ghana to assist with the recruitment of up to three hundred teachers," Cooper said.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that a multi-agency task force has been established to address the staffing shortage.

The group includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Service, the Department of Labour, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas.

According to Cooper, the task force is simultaneously working to recruit Bahamian educators, including recently retired teachers, recent graduates and former teachers interested in returning to the classroom.

"In keeping with government policy, Bahamians will be given first priority to fill all vacancies," he said.

Cooper noted the teacher shortage is not unique to The Bahamas, describing it as a global challenge. He revealed that, in addition to Ghana, the government has been engaging several other countries, including Kenya, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Philippines, to explore recruitment partnerships.

He said discussions with Ghana were advanced during bilateral meetings held on the margins of the country's recent Independence celebrations.

Addressing concerns about the hiring process, Cooper said all prospective teachers would be required to undergo the Ministry's standard recruitment procedures, including rigorous verification of qualifications and character, cultural sensitivity training, comprehensive orientation and a six-month immersion programme.

"We remain committed to continuously strengthening the nation's education system so that our students get the attention they rightly deserve," Cooper said.