GES declares October 30 a CPD day for private school teachers

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially designated Friday, October 30, 2026, as a National Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Day specifically for teachers in private schools across the country. This directive ensures that educators in the private sector have a dedicated time for professional growth, similar to their counterparts in the public sector. As part of this arrangement, all students attending private educational institutions will observe a holiday on that date to allow their instructors to participate in the mandatory training sessions without distraction.

The professional development sessions will be held under the theme "Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being of Teachers." The program is designed to equip educators with practical and effective strategies for managing their mental health, fostering resilience, and maintaining their psychological well-being within the demanding educational environment. By focusing on psychosocial support, the GES and private school associations aim to address the often-overlooked emotional and mental burdens carried by teaching staff.

The decision to establish this dedicated CPD day follows formal advocacy and requests made to the GES by the two primary umbrella bodies for private education in the country: the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) and the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS). Their collaboration with the GES reflects a unified effort to standardize professional standards and support systems across all categories of schools in Ghana.

To ensure the initiative is implemented effectively, the GES has instructed its Regional Directors to supervise the proper coordination of the training across all districts. These officials are responsible for ensuring that the training modules are delivered as planned and that participation is maximized. This initiative is expected to set a precedent for regular, scheduled professional development specifically tailored to the needs of the private education sector.