Berekum (B/A), Sept 24, GNA- About 13,133 trained teachers are needed in primary schools and 30,743 in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), Prof Kobina Yankson, Pro-Vice Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, said on Wednesday.

He was speaking at the opening of the 45th conference of 40 Principals of Teacher Training Colleges at Berekum. The five-day conference has the theme: "Improving basic education through an enhanced teacher training programme- The way forward." Prof Yankson said the vacancies are mostly in the rural and suburban areas.

''The vacancies are partially occupied by about 24,000 untrained teachers and the rest are absolute vacancies or schools with no teachers at all.''

Prof Yankson said the problem is attributed to the large number of trained teachers who are permitted to go on study leave.

"It is estimated that about 6,283 new teachers graduate from training colleges each year but within the same period an average of 5,904 or 94.49 percent go on study leave."

The result is that an average of only 378 new teachers are added to the teaching force each year by the training colleges. More CK/DK/CAS 24 Sept. 03