The National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has defended the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to abolish the teacher licensure examination if elected in 2024.
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 20, Mr. Gyamfi clarified that the NDC supports the Licensing and Registration of Teachers, as required by the Education Act (ACT 778) of 2008.
However, Mr Gyamfi expressed strong opposition to the use of the licensure exams as a precondition for licensing teachers; deeming it unnecessary.
He described the policy by the Akufo-Addo government as obnoxious and called for its abolition.
“John Mahama and the NDC fully support the Licensing and Registration of Teachers as required by sections 12 & 13 of the Education Act (ACT 778), 2008. What we are vehemently opposed to is the use of a needless Licensure Exam as the basis or precondition for licensing teachers. It’s as simple as that.”
Former President John Mahama has promised to discontinue the teacher licensure examination if elected in 2024, criticising the concept as poorly thought through.
He questioned the necessity for an additional test for students of Colleges of Education after completing their examinations.
While Mahama and the NDC advocate for the abolition of the licensure exams, the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has opposed the proposal, maintaining that the policy is beneficial and should be retained.
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