Teacher licensure exam begins today despite protests

• Posted on September 10, 2018
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

The National Teaching Council (NTC), is set to conduct its planned licensure examination for teachers from today Monday, 10th September, 2018.

The Public Relations Officer for the NTC, Dennis Osei- Owusu said a total of 2, 8576 students will sit for the examination.

A statement from the NTC said Colleges of Education campuses will be used as centers for the examination with the exception of Christ the Teacher, Akim Oda Methodist, St. Ambrose, Agona SDA, McCoy, Cambridge, Jackson and Holy Spirit Colleges of Education.

Almost 14,000 teachers have so far registered for the exam.

About licensure exams

The examination applies to all teachers who hold the Diploma in Basic Education (DBE), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) or a post-graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) who want to be employed by the Ghana Education Service.

The National Teaching Council is to oversee the exam in accordance with the Education Act, 2008 (Act 778).

There has however been opposition from some newly trained teachers who have argued that it is being rushed without adequate preparation.

Despite the fierce opposition the teacher licensure exam has received, the NTC has reported a high number of applicants.

Though majority of the newly trained teachers voiced their displeasure with some even embarking on demonstrations, the council said over 13,700 of the expected 20,000 trainees have registered.

NDC flagbearer hopeful sues NTC over exams

A lawyer and flagbearer aspirant of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Elikplim Agbemava, a few days ago filed an interim injunction at the Supreme Court to stop the teacher licensure exams from happening.

He is praying the court to direct the National Teaching Council “to stop, cease or halt the ongoing registration and intended examination of only newly qualified teachers pursuant to the Guidelines and procedures for the Licensure Examination until the final determination of this suit.”

Mr. Agbemava also insists that based on Article 190 (1) (a) and 3 of the Constitution, “Parliament lacked the power to create new public institutions that is, the National Teaching Council, National Inspectorate Board and the National Council for Curriculum Assessment to manage Ghana’s educational system.”