THE REALITY OF TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS NOW HERE WITH US
I am ashamed of a conversation I once defended, and it reveals a serious problem among teachers in Ghana’s pre-tertiary sector.
Today, I reflected on some discussions I used to have with fellow teachers back in Ghana. And honestly, I felt ashamed that I was ever part of them.
Not because we were bad teachers,but because those conversations exposed our level of thinking at the time. They showed how limited our exposure was and how little we understood what professionalism truly demands.
One hard truth stood out:
Many of us were not learning beyond our environment.
When the National Teaching Council began implementing the Education Act by licensing teachers, professional development workshops were approved as one of the requirements for renewing licenses. Teachers were expected to attend trainings, earn points, and grow professionally.
Instead of asking what can I learn?
Many of us asked who is cheating us?
We argued angrily that workshop fees were just a way for the Ghana Education Service to take our Professional Development Allowance.
We complained about the annual GH¢100 licence renewal deduction.
We framed growth as punishment.
Looking back now, I see the problem clearly.
We were arguing from ignorance.
Today, as a certified teacher in Canada, I am required to meet strict conditions every year to maintain my licence. Not as a favour. Not as an option. As a responsibility.
My annual licence renewal fee is $200.
This year alone, I have registered for two professional development courses to improve my Mathematics teaching, classroom efficiency, and classroom management skills. These courses are approved by the licensing board.
One course cost $685.
The second cost $725.
No complaints.
No excuses.
Because I now understand something I didn’t before: You cannot argue strongly for what you do not understand.
In Ghana, many teachers see the Professional Development Allowance as extra salary to be spent. That mindset is dangerous. The name itself explains its purpose. It is not rent allowance. It is not loan repayment money. It is not children school fees money.
It is money meant to make you better at your work.
Government is paying you every year to grow. To learn something new. To sharpen your skills. To improve your classroom impact.
From my experience in Ghana, about 90% of teachers never attend any professional development workshops outside those organized by GES. Not because opportunities don’t exist, but because many complain about the fees.
The result shows in our classrooms.
If teachers truly used the PDA for its purpose, classroom efficiency, confidence, and learning outcomes would improve significantly.
Sadly, before the PDA even hits teachers’ accounts, plans are made to spend it on rent, debts, and household pressure. That reality reflects not wickedness, but a mindset problem.
There is serious work to be done to change how teachers in Ghana think about growth, professionalism, and responsibility.
Please share this with every teacher you know. It might trigger the realization they have not yet had.
~Decisions Decide Destiny
~Special greetings from the Snow city🇨🇦
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