Former Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has called on the government to reconsider its decision to abolish the Teacher Licensure Examination, arguing that the exam plays a crucial role in maintaining professional standards and elevating the status of the teaching profession.
Dr Adutwum, an educationist, cautioned that eliminating the licensure system could erode confidence in the country’s teaching credentials, both locally and internationally.
He noted that the licensure regime, which assesses the competence of teachers before full professional engagement, aligns Ghana with global best practices in education.
“A Licence Elevates the Profession”
“I, as a teacher, believe that, like accountants and lawyers, teachers must also have a licence so that our respect will go through the roof,” Dr Adutwum stated in an interview with
Channel One News.
“I am not promoting that teachers should leave the country, but with the licence, a teacher who travels to the UK can step into a classroom and teach.”
He pointed out that the Teacher Licensure Examination was first piloted under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) before being fully implemented during the tenure of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“NDC piloted the Teacher Licensure Exams before we took over and made it a transitional scale programme. They are in power now. They have the authority. They want to change it; it is between them and the good people of Ghana,” he added.
Reform, Not Abolition
Dr Adutwum advised that instead of scrapping the exam, government should consider reforms to make it more efficient and less burdensome for teacher trainees. For example, he suggested reviewing the timing of the exams to better fit into the academic calendar.
Education Minister Clarifies Transition Plan
Meanwhile, the current Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured the public that the government’s intention is not to compromise teacher quality.
He confirmed that the National Teaching Council (NTC) will grant one final opportunity for eligible candidates to resit the current licensure exam before 30th August.
Mr Iddrisu explained that the planned phase-out of the current system is part of a broader strategy to introduce a new framework for assessing teacher qualifications.
“The new model will continue to uphold the standards and rigour required in the teaching profession,” he said, adding that details of the revised system will soon be made public.
The debate over the future of the Teacher Licensure Examination remains a critical point in Ghana’s education sector, with stakeholders keenly watching the next steps.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
