Special Aide to Former President John Dramani Mahama, Stan Xoese Dogbe has waded into the defence of the decision by the National Democratic Congress flagbearer to cancel Teachers’ Licensure Exams and described the move as a way to provide quality education to all Ghanaians

According to the former Director of Communications at the Office of President during the National Democratic Congress- Mahama administration, Mr Mahama’s decision to abolish the Teachers’ Licensure Exams is’ rooted’ in the belief that if teachers receive ‘quality training and instruction’ during their teacher trainee years, there will be no need for periodic examinations’ that would also put a financial burden on them.

“In what some practising teachers and education watchers have described as a remarkable move towards promoting quality education in Ghana, former President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have re-echoed their 2020 manifesto promise to stop the mandatory writing of licensure exams by teachers every four years, which teachers are required to pay for. By easing the financial burden on teachers and focusing on quality training, the proposal to abolish licensure exams aligns with the broader goals of providing enhanced education opportunities for all children in Ghana”
Stan Xoese Dogbe

Mr Dogbe further refuted argument made by some members of the ruling New Patriotic Party that the Teachers’ Licensure Exams was first introduced by the National Democratic Congress and asserted that the ‘licensing regime’ proposed by the National Democratic Congress administration was not structured as a ‘periodic exam’ but rather aligned to a ‘professional development programme’.

He also explained that the ‘licensing regime proposed’ by the National Democratic Congress was aimed at licensing all newly recruited teachers at the time of its introduction before they were allowed to teach.

He noted that professional teachers who were already in practice would have been ‘streamlined’ while others who were not professional teachers would have been given ‘temporary licenses’ to teach for ‘three years’.

According to Mr Dogbe, the objective of the National Democratic Congress administration ‘licensing regime’ was emphasized by the acting Chief Inspector of the National Inspectorate Board (NIB), Dr Augustine Tawiah, in a ‘Daily Graphic report of September 21, 2016’, who explained at a stakeholders’ information-sharing session that non-professional teachers who were unable to acquire their licenses within the first three-year period, would no longer be recognized as qualified teachers.

“The policy, as put out by the NDC administration, was also intended to incentivize continuous professional development and growth among teachers by requiring them to participate in relevant programmes and appraisals to renew their licenses. Note, not regular exams that they have to pay for”.
Stan Xoese Dogbe

Justifications For The Abolition Of The Teachers’ Licensure Exams

Moreover, reacting to the criticisms by the Deputy Minister of Education, Honorable John Ntim Fodjour against Mr Mahama’s decision to cancel the Teachers’ Licensing Exams, Mr Dogbe indicated that despite the need to undertake evaluation and other measures to ‘gauge’ and ‘maintain’ teachers’ competence, the current system of ‘periodic licensing exams’ places an ‘undue’ financial burden on teachers.

According to Mr Dogbe the National Democratic Congress’s decision to cancel the Teachers’ Licensure Exams would provide an opportunity that will empower and encourage teachers to invest in their professional development training during their years of professional training in the various Colleges of Education.

“For example, the NDC, as explained by Dr Tawiah, envisioned that teachers would have to participate in professional development programmes to qualify for a renewal of license. He mentioned another criterion that would qualify a teacher to be licensed as having a good appraisal report, including punctuality and regularity, effective teaching and serving on community committees. If you are always fighting and also if you have a criminal record and all such vices, you will lose your licence. Teachers who have received proper training and are equipped with the necessary skills will, therefore, be better prepared to deliver high-quality education to their students”
Stan Xoese Dogbe

More so, Mr Dogbe stressed on Mr Mahama’s arguments for the need to enhance the mode of instruction and practical training of student teachers to prepare them to graduate with exceptional and professional skills to teach.

He thus suggested that teacher-trainee students in their final year in the various Colleges of Education would be made to write a ‘licensing exam’, after which they will be licensed to teach.

In addition, the Special Aide to Former President John Dramani Mahama recounted that the National Democratic Congress and its flagbearer’s decision to abolish the ‘periodic exams’ align with international practices in education, where countries such as Finland, Singapore, and Canada have implemented similar models that prioritize the ‘acquisition of quality skills’ during the teacher training programme rather than ‘relying solely’ on ‘periodic examinations’.

According to him, all Ghanaians need to acknowledge that teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a nation. He stressed that the role of teachers go beyond ‘simply delivering curriculum’ as they mostly serve as ‘mentors and sources of ‘inspiration’ to their students

Mr Dogbe concluded by calling for the need for the country to prioritise quality training for teacher trainees during their days in the various Colleges of Education and ensure appropriate measures to license them as part of their professional development.

He indicated that such initiatives by the state would not only empower teachers but also ensure that students receive the education they deserve.

“Let me conclude by saying that the decision to abolish the mandatory licensure exams for teachers demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality of education. It is our duty as a nation to support these progressive changes and work towards a brighter future for all Ghanaian children”
Stan Xoese Dogbe