The Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng Frimpong has written in defence of the teachers’ licensure exams instituted by President Akufo-Addo’s administration through the National Teaching Council (NTC).

Responding to the statement by the National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general elections John Dramani Mahama that when elected as President of the country in 2024 he shall abolish the policy, Mr Kwarteng asserted that in education, the demand for excellence is very important, especially in teacher appointments hence the need for teachers in the country to be licensed.

According to him, prospective educators must demonstrate both academic proficiency and the ability to effectively impart knowledge and skills to students.

He thus argued that the teacher licensure exams are a medium through which educators could demonstrate both academic proficiency and the ability to effectively impart knowledge as they serve as a benchmark to ensure candidates meet ‘predefined’ standards in knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, competencies, and experience required for effective teaching.

“Licensing systems have become essential in maintaining standards across various professions globally, serving as crucial tools for selecting qualified individuals. Whether through written or unwritten exams, these systems play a vital role in ensuring candidates meet predetermined criteria. This rigorous process is evident in sectors like security services, where stringent standards, including medical and physical examinations, are prerequisites for enlistment”.
Kwasi Kwarteng Frimpong

Again, Mr Kwasi Kwarteng indicated that the teachers’ licensure exams provide a careful evaluation of prospective teachers which not only safeguards the quality of education but also protects the interest of the public by restricting teaching practice to only qualified individuals.

Mr Kwarteng noted that amidst the ‘proliferation’ of several teacher training institutions in the country it is therefore imperative that a unified standard is instituted to ensure that the quality of teachers is safeguarded.

According to him the ‘licensure regime’ validates the legal authorization of the National Teaching Council (NTC) in ensuring that a teacher meets minimum standards for effective education delivery in the country.

Teachers’ Licensure Exam And Professional Development

Moreover, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education underscored the importance of the teachers’ licensure exams to the professional development of all teachers in the country.

He stressed that a professional teacher license represents the height of professional achievement which signifies membership in a network of accomplished educators and which contribute significantly to the teaching profession in the country.

According to him, the teacher licensure exam ensures that teaching remains an ‘esteemed choice’ for teacher trainees’ graduates rather than a ‘fallback’ option.

“In the pursuit of global standards, the teacher licensure examination is indispensable, playing a crucial role in maintaining educational standardization within the West African region and globally”.
Kwasi Kwarteng Frimpong

In addition, Mr Kwarteng recounted that an effective and robust teacher licensure system would enhance the prestige, value, and integrity of the country’s educational system, which will position teachers and students in the country ‘globally’.

He argued that such international recognition which has been exemplified by the ‘exportation’ of ‘Ghanaian-trained nurses’ to Barbados during the Covid-19 days could be extended to teaching which would make Ghana a ‘global exporter’ of qualified teachers.

According to him achieving such a milestone requires a steadfast commitment to maintaining and upholding the integrity of teacher licensure examinations as ‘cornerstones’ of ‘educational excellence’ and ‘global competitiveness’.

Meanwhile, the Free Senior High School Secretariat has indicated that its partnership with the Ministry of Education to transform the country’s educational sector from a ‘theory-based’ to a ‘practical-based’ approach, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), is yielding positive results.

According to the secretariat, projects from the ‘Stemnovation’ competition, which challenges Senior High schools, TVET, and technical schools to address socioeconomic issues in their community, have successfully tackled several ‘age-old’ community problems through innovative solutions.