The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is aware of the comments made by the Acting Leader of Opposition, Hon. John Dean Kuku, concerning teacher study leave and supernumerary arrangements, and wishes to provide clarification to ensure accurate public understanding.
Teacher study leave, and related entitlements, are governed by the Education Legislative Framework, including Administrative Instruction 6 – Teachers and Leaders, together with the Ministry’s approved teacher workforce management arrangements. These instruments provide clear guidance on eligibility, approval processes, and payroll implications.
MEHRD reiterates that only teachers who are formally endorsed through the established process — involving recommendations by their respective Education Providers and subsequent approval by the Ministry — may be considered for supernumerary arrangements while on approved study leave. Supernumerary placement is not an automatic entitlement. It is a controlled workforce management mechanism that must be supported by formal approval, available establishment space, and proper payroll authorization.
Education Providers are responsible for managing their teacher workforce establishments, including training and succession planning. Under current workforce provisions, each Education Provider may allocate up to two percent (2%) of its approved teacher establishment for supernumerary purposes. Any supernumerary position must therefore fall within this approved establishment ceiling.
Teachers occupying duly approved supernumerary positions may continue to receive salary during the approved study period, subject to compliance with policy conditions and availability of budgeted funds. These arrangements are designed to support legitimate professional development and training while safeguarding continuity of school staffing, payroll discipline, and fiscal integrity.
The Ministry also clarifies that teachers who are privately sponsored or self-sponsored are not eligible for supernumerary positions. Private study arrangements do not, in themselves, create entitlement to salary continuation under a supernumerary framework.
This distinction is necessary to ensure equity across all Education Providers, consistency in the treatment of teachers, and responsible stewardship of public resources. The Ministry has a statutory obligation to apply policy provisions uniformly and to prevent payroll decisions that fall outside the approved legislative and administrative framework.
MEHRD remains committed to transparency, fairness, and due process in the management of teacher entitlements. The Ministry will continue to uphold established policies in a consistent, accountable, and lawful manner, in the best interests of teachers, schools, Education Providers, and the wider education system.
