Scrapping of Teacher Licensure Exams: Education Ministry Reveals

The scrapping of the Teacher Licensure Exams has been officially announced by the Ministry of Education, Ghana. An absolute deadline was given by the Minister of Education to cancel the Licensure Exams.

Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, who is also the Education Minister, gave the National Teaching Council (NTC) a deadline for them to scrap the Licensure exams.

According to the Minister, these changes are part of the plans for a new and significant framework for assessing the qualification of teachers. The Ministry of Education has directed the National Teaching Council (NTC) to abolish the Teacher Licensure Examinations by August 30, 2025.

This new directive on the scrapping of Teacher Licensure Exams was issued by the Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, on Tuesday, July 15th, during the inauguration of the new governing board of the National Teaching Council.

According to Hon, Haruna Iddrisu, the decision formed part of broader reforms aimed at introducing a new framework for assessing teacher qualifications. He revealed that the new assessment would majorly prioritise academic training and practical fieldwork.

However, he further announced a final window for candidates who have previously failed the licensure exams to re-sit them before the deadline, and then the new phase takes off.

“The last of the Teacher Licensure Exams must be concluded not later than August 30. If there is a final opportunity for those who sat and couldn’t make it, that process should not go beyond August 30.” – the Education Minister revealed.

In April this year, the Education Minister commissioned a National Teaching Council Committee to develop a new framework for assessing teacher qualifications.

At the moment, the National Teaching Council is mandated by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023), section 60(b), to conduct examinations for the licensing of persons who successfully complete teacher education programmes.

This means, in order for one to be recognised as a professional teacher in Ghana, he or she must pass the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE). The first ever licensure exams started in 2018 September.

The new directive was also a campaign promise from His Excellency John Dramani Mahama in the 2020 and 2024 elections. During his campaigns, he promised to cancel the licensure exams for teachers.