Teacher Licensure Yields No Significant Improvement in Teaching Profession — Upper West PRE-TAG Chairman

UWR PRETAG Chairman-Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Salifu

The Upper West Regional Chairman of the Pre-Tertiary Education Teachers Association of Ghana (PRE-TAG), Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Salifu, has expressed scepticism regarding the effectiveness of the teacher licensure examinations in enhancing the quality of teacher recruitment.

In an interview on Info Radio’s Zienyaanye Upper West program, Mr. Salifu questioned the justification behind the introduction of the licensure exams, suggesting that the recruitment procedures in place before their implementation were already of a high standard.

He further speculated that the licensure process might primarily function as a means for certain institutions to generate revenue rather than genuinely improving teacher quality.

“In my view, the licensure examinations were brought in just to have some institutions raise some money, but I can’t see any direct impact as far as getting the required human resources is concerned”, he intimated.

Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has called for the conclusion of the final teacher licensure examination no later than August 30.

He asked all stakeholders to work with the registrar to set a firm date and ensure the process is completed within the stipulated timeframe.

On the subject of tertiary education institutions, Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Salifu called for a comprehensive review of admission processes, highlighting concerns about the preparedness of teacher trainees.

“You see, we must be very critical about how people are recruited into tertiary institutions and the quality of the graduates. Have we been able to tell whether the majority of those who fail the licensure exams are from the private institutions or public ones?” he asked.

He further pointed out the paradox of candidates who have obtained certificates from universities and colleges of education but fail to competently answer fundamental questions during licensure examinations.

Additionally, Mr. Alhassan Abdallah Salifu used the platform to emphasise the urgent need for intensified efforts to combat drug abuse in the Upper West region.

He described the fight against drug abuse as crucial to securing the future well-being and sustainability of the nation.

This commentary from a seasoned educator invites a deeper reflection on the structures and mechanisms governing teacher recruitment and education in Ghana, calling for reforms that address the root causes of current challenges rather than relying solely on licensure examinations.