The Ghana Education Service (GES) has shut down its teacher recruitment application portal earlier than scheduled, just days after opening on April 10, 2026, following an unprecedented surge in applications.
According to official figures released by the Service, more than 40,000 prospective teachers vied for only 7,000 available positions, representing over six applicants for every single job.
The overwhelming response forced authorities to close the portal prematurely to manage the high volume of submissions.
Addressing journalists at a news conference in Accra, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, explained that the limited intake is due to fiscal constraints, not a lack of demand.
“If resources were available, we would have been recruiting up to 50,000 teachers nationwide,” Mr. Iddrisu stated. “But owing to budgetary constraints, we are unable to do that.”
He emphasised that the recruitment process has been transparent and strictly follows government-approved hiring limits.
“The Ministry of Education received clearance to recruit up to 7,000 teachers, both degree and diploma holders, and the process has been advertised openly and transparently,” he said.
The Minister described the flood of applications as a clear indicator of rising unemployment pressure within the education sector.
“When the portal was opened for 7,000 teachers, we received over 40,000 applications. The Ghana Education Service subsequently closed it, and those who were fortunate to apply will be critically assessed based on their readiness, competence, and qualifications,” Mr. Iddrisu added.
He reassured applicants that the selection process would be fair, merit-based, and free from bias.
The GES has not yet announced whether the portal will reopen for additional applications. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted in the coming weeks for further assessments.
For now, the 40,000 applicants face a competitive selection ratio of nearly 6:1, underscoring the intense demand for teaching jobs across Ghana.
