Teacher Licensure exam will not be cancelled – Dep. Minister of Education 

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr John Ntim Fordjour, says teacher licensure examinations will be maintained.

According to the minister, the initiative will help produce professional teachers.

3news.com indicates that Ntim Fordjour made this statement during the launch of this year’s Ghana Teacher Prize in Accra.

He further said that the National Democratic Congress' plan to cancel the teacher licensure exams will be harmful to the sector.

“There have been many reforms. We have never put a framework that recognizes our teachers as professionals, there came the introduction of the licensure exams, and now teachers have the framework to be recognized as professionals, upon whose shoulders every other professional will stand,” he stated.

Globally, teachers are honoured on October 5 for their immense contribution. The day helps to highlight the dedication of teachers who produce quality students regardless of limited resources. 

The theme of the year 2024 is, “Celebrating Excellence, Valorizing Our Teachers.”  The event will take place in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region.

Ahead of that, issues about teacher motivation and the licensure exams have been of major concern to stakeholders. In waiting for this event stakeholders have expressed concerns about teacher motivation and the licensure exams.

Organizations such as the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) expressed their grievances about the education sector's resources.

Thomas Tanko, the general secretary of GNAT, urged the government to increase funding to about 20% to support infrastructure in the sector.

He stated, “Every year, at least 20 percent of government expenditure must be committed to education, but that is not so. We are currently doing around three percent, and now basic education has been the biggest casualty."

The Deputy Minister of Education mentioned the government's dedication to providing resources.

Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, emphasised the need to implement innovative strategies to support teachers.

“We have worked to ensure the basic issues such as teacher upgrades, promotions, and transfers, among others, have been prioritized to receive the needed attention of the management of the Ghana Education Service,” he said.

Teachers were praised by other spears for their leadership and dedication. 

                                                                     

RAD/OGB

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Rev Albert Ocran

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