The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. John Ntim Fordjour, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining the licensure examination for teachers, despite calls for its cancellation. According to Dr. Ntim Fordjour, this examination is crucial for ensuring that professional and qualified teachers are produced for the education sector.
Speaking during the launch of this year’s Ghana Teacher Prize in Accra, Dr. Ntim Fordjour addressed recent calls by the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to abolish the teacher licensure examination, stating that such a move would be detrimental to the sector.
“There have been many reforms. We have never had a framework that recognizes our teachers as professionals until the introduction of the licensure exams. Now, teachers have a framework to be recognized as professionals, upon whose shoulders every other professional will stand,” Dr. Ntim Fordjour emphasized.
The event also highlighted the importance of World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on October 5th, which recognizes the invaluable role of teachers and their commitment to delivering quality education despite limited resources. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Valorizing Our Teachers,” underscores the ongoing efforts to honor teachers’ contributions. The main event will be held in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region.
In the lead-up to the celebration, discussions about teacher motivation and the licensure exams have been prominent among education stakeholders. Organizations such as the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) have expressed concerns about the resources available to the education sector.
GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Musah Tanko, called on the government to increase funding to at least 20% of its expenditure to support infrastructure in the education sector. “Every year, at least 20 percent of government expenditure must be committed to education, but that is not the case. We are currently doing around three percent, and now basic education has been the biggest casualty,” he remarked.
In response, the Deputy Minister of Education pledged the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources to support education. Dr. Eric Nkansah, the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, also emphasized the need for innovative support for teachers, noting that efforts are being made to address issues such as teacher upgrades, promotions, and transfers.
Other speakers at the event praised the dedication of teachers in leading the education sector and emphasized the importance of continuous support and recognition for their work.
