Government on Tuesday announced new rules to guide post-retirement contracts for academic staff at the country’s public universities.
This was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, at a press briefing in Accra on updates in the education sector earlier today.
The Minister stated that under the new regulations, post-retirement contracts in all public universities shall be guided by some rules.
Addressing Journalists in Accra, Dr. Prempeh said "Mandatory retirement for academic staff of public universities shall continue to be 60 years, in line with constitutional provisions. Professorial grade staff (Associate Professors and Professors) shall be eligible for post-retirement contracts until the age of 70."
He also noted that the initial contract shall be for 5 years up to the age of 65, and then afterwards, contracts shall be offered on a 2+2+1 basis, subject to need and good health.
Dr. Prempeh hinted that senior lecturers shall be eligible for post-retirement contract on a 2+2+1 basis only up to the age of 65, subject to need and good health.
"Specific provision must be made for compensation for all staff on post-retirement contract. Such staff shall be clearly designated and accounted for separately as Contract Staff in the annual budget of the institution" he confirmed.
The Minister however stated that it has become particularly necessary as part of measures to bolster and maintain a critical mass of key academic staff to support the anticipated significant increase in tertiary enrolment as a consequence of the free Senior High School Programme.
He revealed, the National Council of Tertiary Education (NCTE) has been tasked to develop and deploy a mechanism for monitoring output in those areas following implementation of the new regime for post-retirement contracts.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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