Deprived Areas (Schools) in Ghana to Receive 20% Allowance: What You Need to Know

The Ghanaian government has announced its readiness to implement the Deprived Area Allowance, a move aimed at motivating teachers to accept postings to underserved areas. This initiative has sparked discussions on how these “deprived areas” will be identified and how the 20% allowance will be calculated.

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In this blog post, we’ll explore how similar systems work in other countries, like Zambia, and provide a detailed breakdown of the identified deprived areas in Ghana. We’ll also discuss the challenges faced by teachers in urban areas and the government’s plans to address these issues.

How Teacher’s Rural and Remote Hardship Allowance is Calculated Elsewhere

A Look at Zambia’s System

In Zambia, the Ministry of General Education has a well-structured system for calculating Rural and Remote Hardship Allowances. Here’s a snapshot of how it works:

1. Rural and Remote Hardship Allowance

• Rural Hardship Allowance: Paid to teachers serving in rural schools, categorized based on the school’s distance from the nearest district center.
  • Categories:
    • A: 30 to 70 km
    • B: 25 to 70 km
    • C: 20 to 70 km
    • D: 0 to 15 km
  • Rate: 20% of the monthly basic salary.
• Remote Allowance: Paid to teachers in schools over 70 km (for categories A, B, and C) or over 15 km (for category D) from the nearest district center.
  • Rate: 25% of the monthly basic salary.

Note: Teachers cannot receive both the Rural Hardship Allowance and Remote Allowance simultaneously.

2. Accommodation Allowance

• Teachers without institutional housing are eligible for an accommodation allowance based on their salary scale.

3. Responsibility Allowance

• Paid at 20% of the basic salary to teachers with specific qualifications and responsibilities, such as degree holders teaching “A” level classes.

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Deprived Areas in Ghana: Where Will the 20% Allowance Apply?

Several regions and districts as deprived areas. Schools within these districts will qualify for the 20% allowance. Here’s the breakdown:

List of Deprived Districts by Region

Note: The official classification document from the Ghana Education Service is yet to be released. The above list is based on preliminary identifications.

Challenges for Urban Teachers: Rent and Transport Allowances

While the 20% allowance is a welcome relief for teachers in deprived areas, those in urban areas are also advocating for rent and transport allowances. Teachers in cities often spend a significant portion of their salaries on high rent and transportation costs, which can be a financial burden.

The government has acknowledged these concerns, and President John Dramani Mahama has promised that no new school will be built without teacher accommodations. This initiative aims to address the accommodation challenges faced by teachers across the country.

The introduction of the Deprived Area Allowance is a significant step toward improving education in underserved communities in Ghana. By learning from systems like Zambia’s, the government can create a fair and effective framework for identifying deprived areas and calculating allowances.

However, it’s equally important to address the needs of teachers in urban areas, who face their own unique challenges. As the government works to finalize the official classification of deprived areas, stakeholders must continue to advocate for comprehensive solutions that benefit all teachers.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

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