Ghana’s education sector marks a significant stride in enhancing teacher standards. A 2016 Daily Graphic report by Severious Kale Dery shed light on the then-emerging teacher licensing policy. Dr. Augustine Tawiah, acting Chief Inspector of the National Inspectorate Board, declared a new era. Starting in the 2016/17 academic year, all new teachers must obtain a teaching license. The policy also required current teachers to undergo a streamlining process.
The Ministry of Education has decisively raised teaching qualifications to a bachelor’s degree level. Consequently, teachers now bring a higher level of expertise to classroom management and student assessment. Additionally, this move promises to improve starting salaries for teachers, potentially drawing more talent to the field.
With the roll-out of the National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework (NTECF), teacher education content has seen comprehensive improvements. This framework has relieved the load on mentor universities, enabling others to contribute to teacher training.
According to a report by Graphic Online, the National Teachers’ Standards (NTS) further define the expectations for teacher preparedness and conduct, shaping the profession’s future.
The Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE), enforced by the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020, Act 1023, ensures that only qualified individuals join the teaching ranks.
The conversation around teacher licensing, starting around 2015/2016, has led to consistent government-backed improvements. These have catapulted Ghanaian teachers onto the global stage, with many now exempt from the UK’s Qualified Teacher Status assessments.
In the run-up to the 2024 elections, it is crucial to keep teacher licensing and professional debates above the political fray. Political parties should lean on expert advice to preserve and expand the advancements in teacher education.
