The National Office of the West African Examinations Council in Ghana conducted a nationwide aptitude test yesterday to begin recruiting qualified personnel for various departmental roles scheduled for November this year. The standout from the exercise, which attracted eruptive numbers of hungry youth, aside from the superb execution by the examination officials and the candidates, became the storyline.
The overwhelming turnout for the test yesterday clearly demonstrates the urgent need for more job opportunities. Opportunities for better jobs that match the qualifications of holders, who are convinced they can earn enhanced living wages. The scene at the Tamale WAEC branch office was jaw-dropping, with an overwhelming crowd of individuals eagerly gathered, all in pursuit of suitable employment opportunities. The sheer volume of hopeful job seekers was astonishing, underscoring the pressing need for improved job prospects in the area. Their expressions reflected a mixture of determination and anxiety, revealing the critical situation many face as they search for ways to secure their livelihoods.
As they stood shoulder to shoulder, the collective energy was almost overwhelming, painting a vivid picture of the pressing need for enhanced job prospects in the region. Some individuals chatted quietly, exchanging stories of their experiences and aspirations, while others sat in silence, lost in their thoughts, grappling with the weight of uncertainty that accompanied their job search. This bustling scene poignantly highlighted the critical situation many face in their quest for a stable livelihood, emphasising the urgent need for effective employment solutions in the area.
I wish I could spare readers the tedium of examining every single line of the narration, but it is important to share this experience. As one of the candidates who received a text message invitation to participate in the aptitude test that took place yesterday, I arrived a day early due to the long distance from Wa to Tamale. I was determined not to let this golden opportunity slip away, no matter what challenges I might face, which is why I made the decision to move far ahead of time. Upon arriving in the city, I spent the evening finalising my preparations and mentally rehearsing for the challenges ahead.
Before I set off early in the morning to the WA STC Coaches station, I poured libation to my ancestors for travelling mercies in and out and only success to be my biggest hunt as I stepped out in search of a juicy job opportunity at WAEC. From the first day, when I sighted the flyer advertising the assistant registrar position among a litany of positions, I did not hesitate to apply. I quickly submitted my application online, fully aware of the urgency it deserved. Deep down, I felt confident and believed that this was my moment.
The numbers from yesterday made me reconsider my thoughts and led me to believe I might have been chasing a wild goose. Ab initio, I thought that my solid professional teaching experience in chemistry, with over 12 years in senior high school (SHS), along with my master's degree in chemistry, gave me the impression that I was the most qualified candidate for the position. Unbelievably, I realise now that this was a folly, reflecting a narrow perspective.
The morning of the aptitude test, scheduled for 9 a.m., I could hear distant humming voices approaching. Curiously, I pulled the window curtain aside to see what was happening. To my dismay, I saw fellow candidates, just like me, already gathering in large numbers at the WAEC yard next to the GNAT hostel where I had spent the night. I quickly dressed to join the crowd, knowing I was only an hour away from the start of the test. I began to wonder how many slots were available, given the number of candidates present. Before long, we were called in according to our subject areas, and each of us had our turn.
The supervisor from Accra shocked the candidates in his opening remarks by revealing the nationwide application numbers for the exercise. Nearly 300 people participated at the Tamale centre, more than 700 in Kumasi, and over 1,200 in Accra, totalling over 2,200 candidates vying for just about 40 slots. I felt a wave of disbelief wash over me upon hearing these figures, and my hope began to fade, replaced by a sense of numbness and profuse sweating in a brief. After a few moments, I quickly recalibrated my focus and remained determined to excel in the test without any hesitation.
Despite the challenges already faced, almost all the HR and accountant applicants are current GES employees. Even if we assume that WAEC National has the capacity to recruit all these teachers, can you imagine the negative impact this would have on the already precarious teacher population? Reports indicate that we still need between 50,000 and 98,000 teachers nationwide.
It raises a crucial question: what is driving over 90% of teachers to want to join WAEC all at once? This situation is concerning, as every teacher who seeks to leave the profession for other agencies or services undermines our growth and development as a nation. It is high time that governments and stakeholders take a serious and consistent interest in the welfare of teachers in this country.
The salary of teachers in Ghana is indeed very low, and this situation is uniquely disgraceful. Teachers are often shortchanged when it comes to promotions and their corresponding ranks. As we speak, promotions are now tied to the attainment of master's degrees, yet teachers are frequently denied paid study leave to pursue these qualifications. I wish this move would come with master's degree holders pegged at an enhanced salary scale soon. The union leaders are thinking in this direction.
Down memory lane, some political leaders have been quoted as saying that teaching is not a profession meant to make money, which discourages teachers from being committed to their work. Additionally, government officials have made agreements with union leaders to unfairly deprive teachers by providing frail appliances and gadgets, all while making significant deductions from their pay and allowances.
It appears that the meagre compensation received by teachers suggests that both the government and union leaders do not believe we deserve better pay. One can't help but wonder what sin teachers might have committed to deserve such harsh treatment. Furthermore, do not be surprised if it comes to the fore that our union leaders were the ones who proposed to the Minister of Education the inclusion of Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese in the educational curriculum.
Every year since the commencement of our professional development allowance, governments and the Ministry of Education have created sophisticated thieving methods to divert our funds. The first of its sort began with the former Vice President, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, and the then-teacher union leaders, who conspired and succeeded in extorting from this stipend by purchasing fragile TM1 laptops for all teachers.
Next, either NaCCA or NTC, or perhaps both, under the guise of providing teachers with licenses, managed to unjustly and surreptitiously deduct amounts from our allowances. The teachers' licenses did not expire the following year, yet they repeated the same questionable actions. They replaced all existing licenses with a new version with the claim that it included enhanced features, all at the expense of struggling teachers. This year, they have returned to collect data on teachers and their licenses. Just wait until November, and you will see what I mean.
Teachers in this part of the world are experiencing significant distress due to various factors. It's easy to understand why many teachers might wish to leave their profession when better opportunities are available. The situation for teachers here is quite challenging.
Consider a teacher who has risen through the ranks and earned a master's degree in philosophy. Despite this qualification, they may still be deemed unqualified to train future teachers at our colleges of education, which raises serious questions about the fairness of the system. It seems as though certain decisions are made for reasons known only to individuals in power, rather than in the best interest of the public.
How can a state truly empower its citizens when such misguided policies are implemented? It's no surprise that teachers may feel alienated and view themselves as adversaries of the state, causing many to drift away from this noble profession.
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