Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu Directs NTC to Abolish Teacher Licensure Exams
Ghana’s Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has ordered the National Teaching Council to scrap the Teacher Licensure Exams by August 30, 2025, shifting focus to practical training.
In a groundbreaking move that has sparked widespread discussion across Ghana, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the National Teaching Council (NTC) to abolish the controversial Teacher Licensure Examinations (TLE) by August 30, 2025.
Announced on July 15, 2025, during the inauguration of the NTC’s newly constituted Governing Board in Accra, this directive signals a significant shift in how Ghana certifies its teachers. The decision aims to replace the exam-based model with a system emphasizing academic training and practical fieldwork, promising to reshape the landscape of teacher education in the country.
A Brief History on Teacher Licensure Examination
The examination was introduced in 2018 under Section 12(4) of the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778), the Teacher Licensure Examination was designed to ensure that teachers in Ghana’s public pre-tertiary institutions meet a standardized level of competence.
Administered by the NTC, the exam tested candidates on essential skills, including literacy, numeracy, and professional teaching knowledge. The goal was to professionalize teaching, ensuring that only qualified individuals entered classrooms to shape young minds.
However, the TLE has been a subject of heated debate since its inception. Critics, including teacher unions and education stakeholders, argued that the exam placed undue pressure on teacher trainees, many of whom already undergo rigorous academic preparation in colleges of education.
Others pointed out that the exam’s structure failed to adequately assess practical teaching skills, focusing instead on theoretical knowledge that did not always translate to classroom effectiveness. These criticisms, coupled with concerns about accessibility and fairness, prompted calls for reform, culminating in Minister Iddrisu’s recent directive.
Why Abolish the Teacher Licensure Exams?
Minister Haruna Iddrisu’s announcement reflects a broader vision to transform Ghana’s education system into one that prioritizes practical, hands-on training over standardized testing.
During his address at the NTC board inauguration, Iddrisu emphasized that the current exam-based model would be replaced by a system focusing on “academic training and practical fieldwork.”
This shift aligns with global trends in teacher education, where experiential learning and real-world application are increasingly valued over rote memorization.
The decision to scrap the TLE is rooted in several key factors:
1. Enhancing Practical Skills: The new system aims to ensure that teachers are well-equipped with classroom management, pedagogical innovation, and student engagement skills.
By emphasizing fieldwork, the Ministry seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing teachers for the realities of the classroom.
2. Reducing Barriers to Entry: The TLE has been criticized for creating unnecessary hurdles for teacher trainees, particularly those from underserved regions. The cost of exam preparation, coupled with the stress of high-stakes testing, has deterred some qualified candidates from pursuing teaching careers.
Abolishing the exam is expected to make the profession more accessible.
3. Aligning with Global Best Practices:
Countries like Finland and Singapore, renowned for their high-performing education systems, prioritize continuous professional development and practical training over one-time licensure exams.
Ghana’s reform draws inspiration from these models, aiming to foster a more dynamic and adaptive teaching workforce.
Responding to Stakeholder Feedback: Teacher unions, including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), have long advocated for the exam’s abolition.
The Ministry’s decision reflects a commitment to addressing these concerns and fostering collaboration with educators.
The New System of the Teacher
What to Expect
While specific details of the new teacher certification system are yet to be fully outlined, Minister Iddrisu has indicated that it will focus on academic rigor and practical experience.
The NTC has been tasked with developing a roadmap to implement this transition by August 30, 2025, with the final licensure exams concluding no later than that date.
Key components of the new system of the New Teacher Licensure Exams
1. Enhanced Fieldwork Programs: Teacher trainees will likely undergo extended periods of supervised teaching in real classroom settings.
This hands-on approach will allow them to develop skills in lesson planning, student assessment, and classroom management under the guidance of experienced mentors.
2. The new system may incorporate ongoing training modules to ensure teachers remain updated on modern pedagogical methods, technology integration, and inclusive education practices.
3. Portfolio-Based Assessments: Instead of a single high-stakes exam, trainees could be evaluated based on a portfolio of their work, including lesson plans, teaching demonstrations, and reflections on their classroom experiences.
4. Collaboration with Industry: To align teacher training with labor market needs, the NTC may partner with industries to ensure that teachers are equipped to prepare students for 21st-century careers, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
This shift is part of a broader education reform agenda championed by Minister Iddrisu, who has also prioritized TVET transformation, curriculum modernization, and the recruitment of 50,000 teachers and 10,000 non-teaching staff in 2025 to address staffing shortages.
Implications for Teachers and Students
The abolition of the TLE is poised to have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s education ecosystem.
For aspiring teachers, the removal of the licensure exam could reduce financial and emotional stress, allowing them to focus on honing their craft. However, the transition to a fieldwork-based model will require robust support systems, including well-trained mentors, adequate funding for training programs, and clear evaluation criteria to maintain quality standards.
While the decision to abolish the TLE has been largely welcomed, it is not without challenges. Critics argue that the exam, despite its flaws, provided a standardized benchmark for teacher quality.
Without a clear alternative in place, there is a risk that the new system could lack consistency or rigor. The NTC will need to address these concerns by developing transparent and robust assessment mechanisms to ensure that teacher quality is not compromised.
Minister Haruna Iddrisu’s directive to abolish the Teacher Licensure Exams is a bold step toward reimagining teacher education in Ghana.
Source : quarmsmedia.com