World Teachers’ Day: 'Teacher welfare has not received the priority it deserves' – NUGS

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has accused successive governments of failing to adequately address the welfare concerns of teachers across the country.

The student body said concerns over remuneration, conditions of service, working conditions and professional development continue to affect the teaching profession.

NUGS said improving the welfare of teachers was essential to strengthening discipline, academic performance and the overall quality of education in Ghana.

“However, it is worrying that despite their critical role, the welfare and dignity of teachers have not received the priority they deserve from successive governments,” NUGS said in a statement issued on Monday, October 5, to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day.

According to NUGS, motivated and respected teachers are better positioned to guide students, shape their character and positively influence their development.

It therefore called for the teaching profession to be treated as a national priority, with teachers recognised and supported as first-class professionals.

NUGS also stressed that teaching is the profession from which all other professions emerged, noting that doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs had all passed through the hands of teachers.

“Teaching is the noble profession from which all other professions emerge. Every doctor, lawyer, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur and other professional has passed through the hands of a teacher,” the statement said.

The union, however, said better conditions of service must be accompanied by professional responsibility and urged teachers to uphold high standards of discipline and integrity.

NUGS condemned sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sex-for-grades, inappropriate relationships with students, abuse of authority and other conduct that compromises the safety and dignity of students.

“If we want disciplined, responsible and academically successful students, then we must invest in the teachers who guide and shape them,” NUGS said.