Licensure exams review: Haruna inaugurates 7-member committee

Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has inaugurated a seven-member committee to review Ghana’s Teacher Licensure Examination (TLE). The committee has been tasked with recommending a new approach for assessing teacher qualification and professional readiness.

Veteran educationist Mr. Kwami Alorvi chairs the committee and comprises representatives from major education stakeholder groups.

Its members include Professor Samuel Atintonu, representing the Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF); Mr. Moses Baman Amadu Snr of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT); Mr. Adokwi Ayikwei-Awulley from PRETAG (CCT-GH); and Mr. Michael Akanvibe Ayuraboya from the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT). Also on the team are Dr. Samuel Awuku, a respected education consultant and policy advisor with T-TEL, and Mr. Nimako Owusu Dorme, Director of Assessment and Examination at the National Teaching Council (NTC).

Explaining the purpose of the committee, Mr. Iddrisu stated that the initiative reflects the government’s intent to eliminate the current licensure examination and develop a more suitable alternative for certifying teachers.

“This move aligns with our education reform agenda and the commitment to ending the licensure examination as captured in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) manifesto,” he stated.

“Yes, it is true the NDC campaigned on a manifesto promise, we will end licensure exams, we did promise and we will keep faith with the electorate,” the Minister stressed.

He said the committee’s role is to provide strategic guidance on how to shift from the existing exam structure to a more comprehensive, curriculum-based approach to teacher qualification.

“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,” Mr. Iddrisu explained.

The Minister added that under the new system, teacher training will place more emphasis on academic work, teaching methodology, and supervised practical fieldwork, all integrated into the formal 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,” he noted.

The committee is expected to submit its recommendations in the coming weeks.