Getting a teaching job can feel like a relief, especially after sending out many applications. You may be tempted to accept the offer immediately once the school tells you that you have been selected.
But before you say yes, take some time to find out exactly what you are accepting.
A teaching job is not only about the salary. The school may have expectations about lesson preparation, marking, meetings, extracurricular activities, weekend programmes and other duties that were not discussed during the interview.
The offer may also be different from what you thought you were getting.
Here are the main things to check before accepting a teaching job in Ghana.
1. Ask for the terms of the job in writing
Do not rely only on what the headteacher, proprietor or administrator told you during the interview.
Ask for a written appointment letter or employment contract and read it before accepting the job.
The document should make clear important details such as your job title, when the employment starts, how much you will be paid, how often you will be paid and your working hours.
Ghana's labour law provides for written employment particulars. The Labour Act framework includes matters such as the employee's job title, description of work, wages, payment intervals, normal working hours and probation period.
If a school tells you, "We will explain everything when you start," be careful.
You should know the basic terms before committing yourself.
2. Find out whether the salary quoted is the actual amount you will receive
A school might tell you that the salary is GH¢3,000, for example.
That does not automatically mean GH¢3,000 will enter your account every month.
Ask:
Is the amount basic salary or total monthly pay?
Are there allowances?
Are there deductions?
Is the salary paid monthly?
What date is normally used for payment?
Is there any probationary salary?
Will the salary change after probation?
Taxes and social security contributions can affect take-home pay. GRA explains that PAYE is deducted from employment income, while SSNIT states that the worker's contribution is 5.5% of basic salary and the employer contributes 13%, making 18.5% in total.
So if the figure given to you is not clear, ask before accepting.
A simple question can save you from disappointment:
"Please, how much should I expect to receive after the normal deductions?"
3. Check when you will actually be paid
This is especially important with private schools.
Do not assume that "monthly salary" means you will always be paid on the same date.
Ask the school:
"When do teachers normally receive their salaries?"
Also ask whether there have been delays in the past.
You can quietly ask one or two current teachers about this if you have the opportunity.
A school may offer a reasonable salary but regularly pay late. That can become a serious problem if you have rent, transport costs, school fees or other bills to handle.
4. Look carefully at the probation period
Some teaching jobs begin with a probationary period.
Find out:
How long is the probation?
What salary will you receive during probation?
What must you achieve before confirmation?
Can the school extend the probation?
What happens if you are not confirmed?
Do not accept a vague answer such as "We will see how you perform."
Ask for the actual arrangement to be stated clearly.
The Ghana labour framework recognises probationary periods and requires employment particulars to include the probation period where one applies.
5. Check exactly what you will be teaching
The job title may simply say Teacher, but that does not tell you enough.
You could be employed to teach one subject but later be expected to handle several subjects.
Ask:
Which subject or subjects will I teach?
Which class or level will I handle?
How many periods will I teach each week?
Will I be expected to teach outside my area of specialisation?
Will I be given a form class?
Will I have marking or examination duties?
This matters because the workload of a teacher can vary greatly from one school to another.
A teacher handling one subject for two classes is in a very different situation from a teacher handling several subjects across multiple classes.
6. Ask about duties outside classroom teaching
This is one area where some teachers get surprised after accepting a job.
Your actual duties may include more than standing in front of a class.
You may be expected to:
supervise break periods;
attend staff meetings;
prepare examination questions;
mark scripts;
supervise examinations;
coach sports;
supervise clubs;
organise school programmes;
attend PTA meetings;
take students on trips;
perform administrative duties.
None of these automatically makes a job bad.
The problem is accepting a job without knowing what will be expected of you.
Ask the school to explain the duties attached to the position.
7. Find out whether there is work after school or on Saturdays
A school may finish normal lessons at 3 p.m., but that does not necessarily mean your working day ends there.
Some schools have extra classes, meetings, remedial lessons, clubs or other activities after normal teaching hours.
Ask directly:
"What time are teachers normally expected to leave school?"
Also ask whether teachers work on Saturdays.
If Saturday work is part of the arrangement, find out whether it is included in the salary or separately compensated.
It is better to know this before accepting than to discover it after your first week.
8. Check the school's expectations about your teaching qualification and licence
If you are taking up a teaching position, do not ignore your professional status.
The National Teaching Council regulates the teaching profession in Ghana and is responsible for teacher registration and licensing. The Council also maintains a system for verifying licensed teachers.
You can use the official Teacher Portal Ghana to check teacher licensing information.
This is particularly worth checking if you are joining a school that tells you that you must have a particular professional qualification or licence.
If you are not yet professionally licensed, ask the school whether the position is open to you and what documentation they expect.
Do not assume that because a school is willing to employ you, everything concerning your professional registration is automatically settled.
9. Check whether the school is genuine and properly established
Before accepting an offer, look beyond the name of the school.
Find out:
Where is the school actually located?
Does it have a physical campus?
Can you speak to someone at the school using an official contact?
Is the person who offered you the job actually connected to the school?
Does the school's information match what you were told during recruitment?
This is especially important if the offer came through WhatsApp, Facebook or another social media platform.
The Ghana Education Service has previously warned the public about fake recruitment notices.
If someone claims to be recruiting teachers for a public institution, verify the information through the institution's official channels rather than trusting a forwarded message.
10. Be careful if someone asks you to pay for the job
A genuine job offer should not automatically become a request for money.
Be very cautious if someone says you must pay:
a registration fee;
a placement fee;
a processing fee;
money for an appointment letter;
money to "secure" the position;
money to influence a recruitment officer.
Ask what the payment is for and verify it independently.
Do not send money simply because someone has sent you an appointment letter bearing a school logo.
A convincing-looking document does not prove that the person who sent it is authorised to recruit you.
11. Check SSNIT arrangements
If you are being employed as a worker, ask how your social security contributions will be handled.
SSNIT says employers are required to register their employees and make the required monthly pension contributions. The Trust states that the worker contributes 5.5% of basic salary while the employer contributes 13%.
You can therefore ask the school:
"Will I be registered with SSNIT, and will my contributions be paid every month?"
Keep your own records as well.
Your SSNIT number belongs to you and is used throughout your working life.
12. Ask what happens when you resign
Nobody starts a new teaching job expecting to leave immediately.
Still, you should know the rules before signing.
Check the contract for:
notice requirements;
resignation procedure;
termination conditions;
what happens during probation;
whether there are penalties for leaving;
how outstanding salary or other payments are handled.
Do not sign a contract containing a condition you do not understand.
If necessary, ask the employer to explain it before you sign.
13. Think about transport before saying yes
A salary can look attractive until you calculate what it will cost you to get to work every day.
For example, a teacher living far from the school may spend a significant amount every month on transport.
Before accepting, calculate your likely monthly transport cost.
Also consider:
How long will the journey take?
What happens when you finish late?
Is transport available after school?
Is the school accessible by public transport?
Will you need to relocate?
Sometimes a slightly lower-paying school closer to home can leave you with more money and time at the end of the month.
14. Ask about accommodation if the school mentions it
Some teaching positions come with accommodation or assistance with accommodation.
If this is part of the offer, do not leave it as a verbal promise.
Ask:
"Is accommodation provided as part of the employment package?"
Then find out where it is, who pays for utilities and whether you will lose the accommodation if you leave the job.
If the school is offering an allowance instead, ask how much it is and whether it is paid every month.
15. Speak to a teacher who already works there
This may be one of the most useful checks you can make.
If possible, speak privately with a current teacher.
Do not only ask, "Is the school good?"
Ask more specific questions:
"Are salaries normally paid on time?"
"How many classes does a teacher usually handle?"
"Do teachers work on Saturdays?"
"What happens when a teacher wants to take leave?"
"Are there duties that were not mentioned during recruitment?"
You may learn more from these answers than from the interview.
16. Compare the whole offer, not just the salary
Suppose School A offers GH¢3,000.
School B offers GH¢2,600 but is much closer to your home, pays on time, has fewer extra duties and provides transport.
The higher salary is not automatically the better offer.
Look at the entire arrangement.
Your decision should take into account:
Salary + working hours + workload + transport + benefits + professional growth + job stability.
That gives you a more realistic picture of what the job will cost you and what you will receive in return.
A simple check before you accept
Before saying yes, make sure you can answer these questions:
What exactly is my salary?
How much should I receive after normal deductions?
When will I be paid?
How long is probation?
What subjects and classes will I teach?
How many teaching periods will I have?
What other duties are expected?
Do I work after normal school hours?
Do I work on Saturdays?
What are the leave arrangements?
How will SSNIT contributions be handled?
What notice is required if I resign?
Is the school legitimate?
Does the person offering me the job actually represent the school?
Do I have the professional qualifications or registration required for the position?
If several of these questions have no clear answer, slow down before accepting the offer.
What if the school says you must start before giving you a contract?
Ask for the employment terms in writing before committing yourself.
You do not necessarily need a complicated document. What matters is that the important terms are clear.
The Ghana labour framework provides for written employment particulars covering important matters such as the job, pay, hours and probation.
If the school refuses to put basic terms in writing, that should make you more cautious.
One more thing teachers should not overlook
Your first teaching job can affect more than your monthly income.
It can give you classroom experience, professional development and a record of work that may help you later.
The National Teaching Council says licensed teachers are expected to undertake continuing professional development, build a portfolio and follow professional standards and ethics.
So when comparing two offers, ask yourself not only:
"Which school is paying more?"
Also ask:
"Which job will leave me in a better position two or three years from now?"
That can change the decision completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I accept a teaching job without an appointment letter?
It is better to understand the employment terms in writing before you commit yourself. Ask for the appointment letter or written employment particulars and check the salary, duties, hours, probation and other important conditions.
Should a teacher pay money to secure a job?
Be very cautious about any request for money to secure employment. Verify the recruitment process directly with the school or institution using independently obtained contact information.
How can I check a teacher's licence in Ghana?
The National Teaching Council provides an online teacher licence verification service through Teacher Portal Ghana.
What should I ask about salary before accepting a teaching job?
Ask whether the amount quoted is basic salary or total pay, what deductions will apply, when you will be paid and whether there are allowances or other benefits.
Is the salary the most important thing when choosing a teaching job?
No. Salary matters, but workload, working hours, transport costs, payment reliability, professional development and other conditions can make a major difference.
Final thoughts
Getting a teaching offer is worth celebrating, but you do not have to accept it immediately.
Read the offer. Ask questions. Visit the school if necessary. Speak to someone who already works there. Check your professional requirements and calculate what the salary will really mean after transport and deductions.
A job offer should tell you what you are being paid.
You should also understand what you are being asked to give in return.
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