Exploring the mismatch between teacher demand-supply in sub-Sahara Africa: Ghana as case study

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of the factors affecting the supply and demand of school teachers in Ghana. The findings suggest that the major pull causing the mismatch in teacher supply-demand equation can be summed up under: a) economic demand, b) demographic factors and c) market forces. Sixty percent of those sampled constituting 162 of the respondents were of the view that there was a significant correlation between remuneration and supply while the other 40% (108) not attributing it to remuneration per se, nevertheless saw a link between supply and other economic issues such as end of service benefit. Ninety five percent of respondents were of the view that teacher upgrading in higher market premium courses in institutions of higher learning exacerbate teacher attrition into other better paid jobs: an indication of non-incentives pulling teachers from the teaching profession. The objective of the study is to contribute to advocacy on teacher issues, especially increased resources as well as innovative funding for the employment of sufficient number of teachers.