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The National Teaching Council (NTC) has clarified that the National Teacher Licensure Examination has not been cancelled but rather integrated into the final examinations of teacher trainees.
At a press briefing in Accra on February 23, the Board Chairman of the NTC, Emmanuel Kwame Alorvi, explained that the licensure process has been restructured in line with the 2024 manifesto promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He noted that the previous format, which required trainees to complete college and remain at home for up to a year before sitting a separate licensure examination, has been abolished. Under the old system, candidates wrote a six-hour paper-based examination covering literacy, numeracy, and essential professional skills without any practical teaching assessment.
Mr Alorvi stated that the reformed structure now incorporates the licensure into trainees’ final semester examinations. A key addition is a practical teaching component, which constitutes 30 percent of the total assessment. The reform recognises that effective teaching requires both pedagogical practice and subject knowledge.
In fulfilment of the government’s pledge, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, established a seven-member committee to develop modalities for implementing the revised professional licensing policy. The committee submitted its report on May 28, 2025, recommending a three-tier implementation approach.
According to the NTC, the first tier addressed candidates who had previously failed the licensure examination and those who had completed college under the old system but were yet to sit the exam. Although the previous regime was phased out in August 2025, provisions were made to allow that batch to complete the process.
The second tier covers current trainees, who will now take the integrated licensure assessment as part of their final examinations without waiting an additional year.
The third tier focuses on introducing a screening process for prospective entrants into colleges of education. Mr Alorvi expressed concern over persistent failure rates and suggested that stronger entry requirements could help ensure only qualified candidates enrol in teacher training institutions.
The NTC has indicated that it will engage stakeholders, including teacher unions, to discuss the proposed screening measures as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening teacher professionalism in Ghana.
