Teachers in Ghana face several scam challenges when updating their personal information with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD). Unfortunately, the delays and inefficiencies in these processes have made teachers easy targets for scammers and middlemen who exploit them for financial gain.
Many teachers are forced to pay for services that should be provided by GES and CAGD. In some cases, they are scammed, losing their money without receiving the needed service. Below are the top 14 challenges that leave teachers vulnerable to these scams:
1. Change of Management Unit
Teachers often face delays when trying to transfer between management units. This process, which should be straightforward, is plagued by bureaucratic inefficiencies.
2. Responsibility Allowance
Applying for or updating responsibility allowances is a cumbersome process, and delays can lead teachers to seek unofficial channels.
3. Changing Phone Numbers
Updating contact information like phone numbers is often delayed, preventing teachers from receiving important updates or payments.
4. Upgrading
Upgrading academic qualifications and reflecting them in the GES database is slow, affecting promotions and salary increments.
5. Correction of Names or SSNIT Numbers
Errors in names or Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) numbers require immediate correction, but delays force teachers to seek external help.
6. Salary Reactivation or Suspension
Teachers whose salaries are suspended often experience long waits for reactivation, making them vulnerable to scammers who promise faster solutions.
7. Picture Validation
Updating photos for identification purposes is another slow process, which leads teachers to pay middlemen for quicker service.
8. Incremental Jumps
Incremental salary increases often take months or even years to reflect, prompting teachers to seek unofficial interventions.
9. Bank Account Changes
Changing banking details should be simple, yet many teachers face unnecessary delays that disrupt their salary payments.
10. Special Postings
Requests for special postings, such as transfers to specific locations, are often delayed, leading teachers to rely on unofficial means.
11. Admissions
Teachers seeking admission into professional programs within the GES framework face bureaucratic challenges, making them susceptible to fraudulent admissions schemes.
12. GES Aptitude Test
Registration and correction issues related to the GES Aptitude Test are often mishandled, creating a breeding ground for scammers.
13. NTC Exam Issues
Errors and delays in the registration and release of results for the National Teaching Council (NTC) exams further expose teachers to fraudulent schemes.
14. Other Administrative Services
Any other service that requires administrative input from GES or CAGD is likely to be delayed, leaving teachers at the mercy of third-party “facilitators.”
How Scammers Exploit Teachers
Many teachers fall victim to scams because they are desperate to resolve their issues quickly. Scammers promise fast-tracked solutions but often disappear after collecting payment. One notable incident involved 42 teachers who collectively lost over GHS 300,000 to a fraudulent employment scheme.
How GES and CAGD Can Address These Issues
To reduce the vulnerability of teachers to scams, GES and CAGD must improve their service delivery by adopting digital solutions and enhancing internal processes.
1. Develop Online Platforms:
Create user-friendly online portals where teachers can update their information, such as management unit changes, phone numbers, and bank details, with real-time synchronization with GES and CAGD databases.
2. Implement Automated Systems:
Automate the processing of requests like responsibility allowances, salary reactivation, and incremental jumps to reduce delays and human errors.
3. Introduce Mobile Applications:
Launch mobile apps that allow teachers to update their information, validate their identity, and track the progress of their requests.
4. Use Digital Verification:
Incorporate biometric and online verification systems to enhance security and prevent fraudulent activities.
5. Conduct Awareness Campaigns:
Educate teachers on the official procedures for updating their information and warn them about the risks of engaging with middlemen and scammers.
6. Improve Internal Efficiency:
GES and CAGD must streamline their operations, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure that teachers receive timely and accurate services.
The challenges faced by teachers in updating their information with GES and CAGD are significant, but they can be resolved through digitalization, automation, and better service delivery. Teachers must also be vigilant and follow official channels to avoid falling victim to scams. By working together, GES, CAGD, and teachers can create a more efficient and secure system that benefits everyone.
If you have experienced any of these challenges or have additional suggestions, share them in the comments section. Together, we can work towards a more transparent and efficient education system in Ghana.
