MoE asks NTC to propose GTLE alternative before the exam’s scrap
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has tasked the National Teaching Council (NTC) to develop an alternative to the current Ghana teacher licensure examination (GTLE) as the government prepares to scrap the examination conducted for graduate Colleges of Education (CoE) teacher trainees in the country.
He has urged the newly inaugurated National Teaching Council (NTC) Committee to develop a new framework for assessing teacher qualifications that places greater emphasis on academic training and practical fieldwork rather than standardised licensure examinations.
“Yes, it’s true the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigned on the manifesto promise—we will end licensure exams. We did, and we will keep faith with the electorate. But I need professional advice on this matter
That is why I’m putting this committee together to advise, most appropriately, how to work through the transition. A transition from a licensure exam regime to a no-licensure-exams regime,” the Education Minister stated.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Minister in Charge of Education said the new National Teaching Council (NTC) committee will guide the transition from the existing exam system to a new form of teacher qualification assessment.
“That is why I am putting this committee together to advise most appropriately how to walk through the transition, a transition from a licensure exam regime to a no-licensure exam,” Honourable Haruna Iddrisu said.
The Member of Parliament for Tamale South Constituency and Education Minister added that the new approach should involve academic training and practical fieldwork as part of the teacher education curriculum.
“In our manifesto again, it was our pledge to incorporate it into the curriculum of teacher training institutions… that it becomes part of their curriculum,” Mr Iddrisu said.
The Minister of Education suggested that the National Teaching Council should also consider granting one final opportunity for candidates who previously failed the exams to resit before the exams are officially phased out.
“With further advice, I want to say that one last opportunity of a resit of the licensure exams for those who couldn’t make it the last time must also be part of your recommendations. What do we do? Do we offer them an opportunity of a resit?” he queried.
In addition to the reforms in teacher qualification, Mr Iddrisu expressed concern about the quality of graduates coming out of tertiary institutions. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the new board of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
The Sector Minister in Charge of Education congratulated the newly appointed board members, saying, “A hearty congratulations from the president and on my own behalf, I wish you well,” reminding them of their core duty to regulate and improve higher education in the country.
“Focus primarily on the regulatory mandate of the commission, and in particular, as you are aware, higher education remains the exit point for many young people getting exposure into the world of work,” he stated.
The Minister for Education further highlighted growing concerns from the private sector about graduate competence.
“There are complaints from the Ghanaian private sector about the quality of the Ghanaian graduate. If you do an assessment and evaluation of interviews conducted both within the public and private sectors of Ghana, you will come to find out some questions about what is the quality of this graduate,” he said.
While acknowledging that some universities are doing well, he said there are instances where standards fall short. He urged GTEC to pay special attention to these issues to improve the overall standard of higher education.
“That is not to say that our universities are not producing the best quality, they are, but I am sure there are instances that some don’t live up to the calling and the expectation, and we need you to also, as a commission, give special attention to Ghanaian tertiary institutions.
They have legitimate concerns and like it or not, they are contributing to what I describe as the ARQ – Access, Relevance and Quality in the provision of higher education in Ghana,” the Education Minister noted.
