Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured Ghanaians that the government’s decision to reform the teacher licensure examination will not compromise the quality of educators being produced across the country.
According to the Minister, the move to integrate the licensure exam into the final academic assessments of students in universities and colleges of education aligns with government’s policy direction; one that still prioritises professional competence and teaching excellence.
“We are honouring a manifesto pledge albeit we’ll accept inputs to improve it because for us that decision should not compromise the quality of teachers that we have, that Ghana must have,” Mr Iddrisu said.
He made the remarks on Friday, July 18, during a media engagement at the Accra High School where the current round of the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) is ongoing.
The Tamale South legislator reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that future cohorts of teacher trainees are properly assessed, adding that practical reforms do not mean a reduction in standards.
“So we are still committed to providing for quality teachers so that the product will be guided learners who are guided properly by their teachers,” he added.
Mr Iddrisu also stressed the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) for in-service teachers, noting that such training is not just essential but is also embedded in their collective bargaining agreement.
“That’s why continuous assessment and development is an integral part even of their collective bargaining agreement. They have to go through this continuous professional development exercise in order to equip and re-equip themselves to impact knowledge and to impact it to learners,” he said.
READ: Govt taking steps to integrate Licensure Exams into final assessments – Haruna Iddrisu
The government, he noted, is also engaging the National Teaching Council (NTC) to consider one final resit opportunity before the end of August for candidates who have not yet passed the exam.
The Education Minister’s comments come at a time when 37,000 candidates are sitting the GTLE nationwide, including over 5,000 resit candidates; some of whom completed their studies before the current administration assumed office.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
