Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu
The Educate Africa Institute (EAI) has lauded the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, for his decisive directive to abolish the Teacher Licensure Examinations by August 30, 2025, describing the move as a bold and progressive step towards improving teacher recruitment and strengthening Ghana’s education system.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, William Boadi, the Institute commended the Ministry for responding to longstanding calls from education stakeholders to review the teacher qualification framework.
The Teacher Licensure Examinations were introduced under the previous administration as a prerequisite for graduates seeking to enter the teaching profession.
However, EAI has, for years, opposed the policy, arguing that it was unnecessary and burdensome for teacher trainees who had already undergone four years of rigorous academic and professional training in universities and colleges of education.
According to Boadi, the exams only served as an additional barrier, frustrating graduates and delaying their deployment into classrooms.
“Teacher quality should be assessed through structured academic training, supervised fieldwork, and continuous professional development, rather than an additional examination that imposes financial and psychological burdens on graduates,” he emphasised.
EAI believes the cancellation will ease the transition of trained teachers into the education workforce, allowing them to contribute their skills and passion to Ghana’s classrooms without unnecessary delays.
“We are grateful to the Minister for Education for demonstrating leadership in listening to stakeholders and acting in the best interest of teacher trainees and Ghana’s education sector.
“It is a progressive step that will enable thousands of graduates to improve quality education in our communities,” Boadi stated.
The Institute also expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the National Teaching Council (NTC) in developing a new teacher qualification framework.
EAI insists that the new system should prioritise academic competence, practical readiness, and continuous professional development while upholding quality teaching standards nationwide.
Meanwhile, EAI has encouraged affected candidates to take advantage of the final opportunity to re-sit the licensure exams before the phase-out date, commending the Ministry for providing a transitional window.
AM/KA
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