The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has officially directed Colleges of Education to cease the use of the title “Tutor” for their teaching staff, following the migration of these institutions onto the public universities’ salary structure.
The Shift from "Tutor" to "Lecturer"
In a statement dated February 27, 2025, GTEC expressed concerns about the continued use of the "Tutor" nomenclature despite the fact that teaching staff in Colleges of Education now fall under the public universities' payroll and structure. The commission emphasized that this practice is unacceptable and reaffirmed that the correct title for such faculty members should now be “Lecturer.”
Why the Change?
This move aligns with the reclassification of Colleges of Education as tertiary institutions, which are now affiliated with public universities such as:
University of Ghana (UG)
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
University of Cape Coast (UCC)
University for Development Studies (UDS)
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Since these colleges now follow university structures, their faculty must also be referred to using the same academic designations as their counterparts in traditional universities.
Implications for Colleges of Education
GTEC further clarified that all staff appointments and promotions will be based on the statutes and conditions of service of their respective affiliate universities. This means that:
Teaching staff will be evaluated based on university-level promotion criteria.
Academic qualifications and performance will determine career progression.
The new nomenclature will reflect their professional standing in the tertiary education sector.
What This Means for Stakeholders
For faculty members, this change is a significant professional upgrade, as they now hold the same status as university lecturers. For students and the broader academic community, it reinforces the credibility and quality of education at Colleges of Education.
GTEC’s directive serves as a final reminder to all Colleges of Education to align with this policy without further delay.
Final Thoughts
The shift from "Tutor" to "Lecturer" marks a crucial milestone in Ghana’s education sector, reinforcing the tertiary status of Colleges of Education and ensuring uniformity in academic ranks. As the landscape of teacher education evolves, this change not only enhances the recognition of educators but also strengthens the foundation of higher learning in Ghana.
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