Teacher Groups Welcome Deadline to Scrap Teacher Licensure Exam: “Long overdue”
- The government’s deadline for the teacher licensure exam to be scrapped has been welcomed by teachers
- The chairman of the Concerned Teachers Association in the Ashanti Region, Godfred Ansah, told YEN.com.gh it was a step in the right direction
- The Ministry of Education has directed the cancellation of the Teacher Licensure by August 30, 2025
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The government’s deadline for the teacher licensure exam to be scrapped has been well-received by teacher groups.
The chairman of the Concerned Teachers Association in the Ashanti Region, Godfred McThetheh Ansah, told YEN.com.gh this move was long overdue.
Source: Getty Images
Ansah maintained that teacher training colleges are well placed to license teachers without resorting to a less decentralised process after completing school, which is one of the downsides of the current licensure regime.
“When you are in school, when you are learning, it is easy, but when you go, it becomes difficult to learn… If you ask the person to come back and write the exam, it is wasting money, time and offering risk.”
Addressing concerns about the quality of teachers, he said the colleges of education were well equipped to provide the necessary quality.
And just like teachers have notably had to rewrite the licensure exam, students in teacher training colleges also have
“They have been rewriting until the time that they go through… I wish you would get access to the licensure exam and that of the college exam. There is no difference.”
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu during the inauguration of the new governing board of the National Teaching Council on Tuesday, July 15.
He said a new assessment would prioritise academic training and practical fieldwork.
Source: Facebook
NAGRAT backs cancellation of teacher licensure exam
President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers, Angel Carbonu, encouraged teacher trainees to take full advantage of this development.
Carbonu told Channel One news said it was a step in the right direction.
“Once you know this is a requirement to qualify, you are a resident on campus, you should do what it takes to qualify so that when you come to school, the next thing you think about is your job."
Uncer the licensure exam regime, the National Teaching Council was mandated by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023), section 60(b), to conduct examinations for the licensing of persons who complete teacher education programmes.
In order to be recognised as a teacher in Ghana, one must pass the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE).
The first licensure examination was in September 2018.
Mass failures during teacher licensure exams
The teacher licensure examination has been plagued with mass failures since it was instituted.
For example, in 2023, of the 20,181 teachers who sat for the 2023 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination 2&3, 9,556 failed.
Due to reforms implemented in 2023, the National Teaching Council gave candidates three chances to pass the exam.
About 30,000 non-professional teachers were given until the end of 2024 to regularise their stay in the classroom.
The National Teaching Council and the Ghana Education Service were collaborating to ensure appropriate teaching registration and licensing. No update has been given on the status of this directive.
Mahama's promise to cancel teacher licensure exams
When campaigning to be president, YEN.com.gh reported that John Mahama vowed to cancel the teacher licensure exams.
Mahama said the teacher certification programme was unnecessary because of the prior tests that trainees take.
The now-president made a similar promise ahead of the 2020 election, which was captured in the National Democratic Congress manifesto.
Source: YEN.com.gh
