By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), May 8, GNA – The Coalition of Concern Teachers (CCT) Ghana, in the Southern Volta, has thrown its weight behind calls to cancel the Teacher Licensure Examination.
They argued that it was unfair to expect teachers to pass a licensure examination after they have already completed their training and are practicing.
Mr Ephraim Jumpah Dodzi, the Southern Volta Vice Chairman of the CCT Ghana, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed support for the cancellation of the examination, while citing concerns about its timing and relevance.
“I believe that if the examination is necessary, it should be administered while teachers are still in school, not after they have graduated,” he said.
Mr Dodzi criticised the former government for introducing such exams as well as the current situation in the education sector and accused them of being responsible for the misfortunes and the challenges teachers faced in recent times in quality delivery in academic activities.
He said the CCT Ghana, was not the only institution calling for the cancellation of the Teacher Licensure Examination but other stakeholders in the teaching field have also expressed concerns about the examination and its impact on teachers which needed urgent attention and redress.
“Our support for the cancellation of the exams adds to the growing chorus of voices calling for change, and if it must be done, it must be done while our people are in school.”
He said Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister for Education has earlier directed the National Teaching Council (NTC) to propose alternatives before scrapping the Teacher Licensure Examination and the move was seen as a positive step towards addressing the concerns of teachers and finding a solution to the impasse.
He explained that the welfare of teachers was a critical issue in the education sector and the CCT has advocated for the rights and interests of teachers, and the cancellation of the teacher licensure examination was seen as a step towards promoting their welfare.
Meanwhile, some Educationist, GNA, spoke with said the teacher licensure examination has been a contentious issue in the education sector while the cancellation of the examination could have a significant impact on the quality of education in the country and stakeholders were eagerly waiting for the outcome of the Education Minister’s directive to the NTC.
Some teachers told GNA that the Education Minister’s directive to the NTC is a positive step towards addressing their concerns while many were hopeful that a solution would be found to address the challenging situation.
They said the directive would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to work together to find a solution that benefits teachers and promotes the interests of the education sector.
Some teachers also suggested that a special examination should be conducted for graduating teachers to write as part of their final year examination to enable them to get the license as teachers.
GNA
MA/KOA