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The National Teaching Council (NTC) has up to August 30 to end the existing teacher licensure examination scheme.
The Teacher Licensure Examination regime will be replaced by a new system for assessing teacher qualifications.
The new framework would shift focus from standardised examinations to a more practical, skills-based approach, emphasising academic grounding and classroom experience over formal testing.
The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced this during the inauguration of the newly reconstituted board of the NTC, chaired by Emmanuel Kwami Alorvi, in Accra last Tuesday.
Haruna Iddrisu (arrowed), Education Minister, with the board members
The other members, who are representatives from various institutions, include Sampson Damptey Tetey, Ben Nick Banor, Prof. Samuel Ofori Obuobisah Bekoe, Prof. Tahiru Azeko Salifu, Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong and Mercy Nabia Sagbil.
The rest are Majorie Affenyi, Gadotor Yram Kwame (Togbe Foe Tsali II), Obenfo Nana Kwesi Gyetuah, Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, Dr (Hajia) Amina Jangu Alhassan, Dr Chrysogonus Anab and Dr Christian Addai-Poku.
The minister stressed that concluding the current licensure examination regime was urgent as the government prepared to transition into a new system for assessing teacher qualifications.
“The last of it must be concluded not later than August 30, 2025. If there is a last opportunity for those who sat and couldn’t make it, that process should not travel beyond August 30.
“You are to work with the registrar, get us a firm date, and we’ll put that off,” Mr Iddrisu directed the board members.
He commended the board members for making “far-reaching recommendations” on a more comprehensive and practical approach in assessing teacher readiness.
“This new model, which will guide the teacher licensure exams, goes beyond solely paper-based exams.
It incorporates assessment, supervised practical evaluations, and structured mentorship programmes, ensuring that newly trained teachers demonstrate not just theoretical knowledge but actual classroom competence.
“That model will be rolled out as soon as practicable when you conclude with the last licensure opportunity for those who have to resit and those who have to join,” the minister stated.
Mr Iddrisu explained that the directive was part of a wider reform agenda aimed at improving teacher training and classroom outcomes.
Outlining the responsibilities of the board under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 1023, the minister reminded them that they had the responsibility to regulate the teaching profession in the country.
“Part of it would be even advising the sector minister on matters relating to teachers, setting professional standards, licensing teachers, overseeing a more important function of the continuous professional development of teachers, and also regulating institutions that train teachers, and promoting teacher professionalism and accountability,” he told the board members.
While congratulating the members on behalf of President John Mahama, Mr Iddrisu said when teachers did well, learners learnt and became better off.
He further tasked the board to strive to improve the cooperation and collaboration of all the stakeholders in the sector, “be they teachers, community leaders, parent-teacher associations, and even the teachers themselves.”
He also charged the board to pay particular attention to teacher-parent relations and teacher-people relations, expressing concern that in Ghana, when learners gave feedback, teachers felt disrespected.
“That should not be the case when you are teaching and you get feedback from learners that they don't properly understand you. In our culture, the teachers treat that as disrespect.
“The feedback must help you improve your professional delivery,” Mr Iddrisu stressed.
