Ghana’s Education Sector Braces for Major Reform: Teacher Licensure Exams to Be Scrapped by August 30, 2025

 Ghana’s Education Sector Braces for Major Reform: Teacher Licensure Exams to Be Scrapped by August 30, 2025

Accra, Ghana – July 16, 2025 – In a bold move to reshape the teacher qualification process in Ghana, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the National Teaching Council (NTC) to abolish the controversial Teacher Licensure Examinations (GTLE) by August 30, 2025. The announcement, made during the inauguration of the NTC’s newly constituted governing board on July 15, 2025, has sparked widespread discussion among educators, policymakers, and trainees across the country.

The directive aligns with a key campaign promise made by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2024 elections, who criticized the licensure exams as an unnecessary J.J. hurdle for teacher trainees. The decision marks a significant shift in Ghana’s education policy, aiming to prioritize practical skills and academic training over standardized testing.

A New Framework for Teacher Assessment

Minister Iddrisu emphasized that the phase-out of the GTLE is part of a broader reform to introduce a more comprehensive and practical approach to assessing teacher readiness. “The last of the Teacher Licensure Exams must be concluded not later than August 30,” Iddrisu stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to transitioning toward a system that emphasizes academic training and fieldwork.

The new framework, which the NTC has been tasked to develop, will focus on integrating professional assessments into the curriculum of teacher training institutions. This approach aims to ensure that certified teachers possess both theoretical knowledge and practical classroom skills before entering the profession. “We want a system that aligns teacher preparation with the realities of the classroom,” Iddrisu said, commending the NTC board for their progressive recommendations.

Final Opportunity for Resit Candidates

To address concerns about candidates who have previously failed the GTLE, the Minister announced a final window for resits, to be completed by the August 30 deadline. This opportunity ensures that those already in the system can qualify under the current framework before the transition to the new model. The NTC has clarified that the 2025 GTLE, scheduled to proceed as planned, will not be disrupted for registered candidates, alleviating fears of immediate cancellation.

The final resit in October 2025 will mark the last chance for candidates to qualify under the existing system. From 2026 onward, those who fail to pass will need to re-enroll in teacher education institutions under the revised guidelines.

Mixed Reactions from Stakeholders

The announcement has elicited varied responses. Many teacher trainees have welcomed the move, citing the financial and emotional burden of the licensure exams. “After years of training, the additional stress of passing another exam felt unfair,” said Akosua Mensah, a final-year student at the University of Education, Winneba. Social media posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users praising the decision as a step toward easing the path to teaching.

However, some educators and policy analysts have expressed concerns about the transition. Dr. Kofi Amoah, an education consultant, cautioned that the new framework must be robust to maintain professional standards. “Standardized exams, while imperfect, ensured a baseline of competence. The NTC must ensure the alternative is rigorous and transparent,” he said.

The GTLE, introduced in 2018 by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, was designed to professionalize teaching by assessing candidates’ knowledge, skills, and pedagogical practices. However, its high failure rates—over 47% in 2023—drew criticism for being overly restrictive.