Teacher licensure exams ‘insult’ to Colleges of Education – Mahama

Former president and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has openly criticized the Ghana Teacher Licensure Exams (GTLE), labeling it as an affront to the integrity and capability of the Colleges of Education in Ghana.

His critic was conveyed during a lecture presentation made by his current running mate, Her Excellency Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.

In the presentation, the NDC official running mate, John Mahama, expressed his concerns and intentions to abolish the post-college teacher licensure examination if elected in as president.

Mahama believes that the Teacher Licensure Exams is not a key performance indicator of a teacher’s professionalism.

He elaborated that the imposition of a 6 hour exams as an indicator of a teacher’s competence is not only abusive but also undermines the adequate training provided by the College of Education.

To Mahama, these colleges already train teachers in a rigorous process to ensure that they are well prepared for the teaching occasion.

He queries the purpose behind subjecting teacher graduates to an additional licensure examination after the have successfully completed their programs and various class assessments.

In opposition, the Colleges of  Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has taken a stance that the proposal to abolish the teacher Licensure Exams will bring down the high standard of the teaching assessment and the teaching professional as as a whole.

Prince Obeng Himah, the President of CETAG, articulated the association’s position in an interview with Citi FM, asserting that the licensure examination is essential for ensuring the competence and quality of teaching professionals in Ghana.

The president of the CETAG, Master Prince Obeng Human, opined the association’s position in an Citi FM interview.

He asserted that the Licensure Exams is crucial for ensuring competence and production of quality teaching for schools in Ghana and the global market as well.

He referred to a consensus reached two years prior, during a conference, where it was agreed that prospective teachers should undergo entrance examinations.

This, according to Himah, is in line with global best practices and is necessary for maintaining the credibility and quality of the teaching profession in Ghana.

He argued that such examinations ensure that only qualified individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of educating the nation’s youth.

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The Teacher Licensure Examination is curated to enable qualified teachers to acquire a professional license, verifying whether candidates meet the National Teachers’ Standards.

These standards mean professional knowledge, practice, values, and attitudes necessary for effective teaching.

The debate over the GTLE highlights a broader discussion about the best methods for ensuring teacher quality and professionalism.

While Mahama and his supporters view the licensure examination as redundant and disrespectful to the training provided by the Colleges of Education, CETAG and its advocates see it as a critical safeguard for educational standards.

This ongoing discourse reflects the complexities involved in balancing rigorous teacher preparation with fair and effective measures for professional certification.

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