The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana has backed the introduction of licensing exams for teachers, saying it will bolster teaching in the country.
Most Reverend Titus Kofi Awotwe Pratt told Joy News’ Michaela Richter-Anderson Wednesday, the policy will ensure that only hardworking teachers are attracted into the education sector.
On the sidelines of the Methodist Autonomy Day, the clergyman said the educational system is suffering because teachers are not discharging their duties as expected.
When you go to the schools, teachers are not teaching well and all that they are looking forward to is their monthly salary, Rev. Awotwe Pratt said in twi.
The National Teaching Council (NTC), a body under the Education Ministry, announced teachers would now have to sit for a special examination before they will be granted a license to teach.
Executive Secretary-designate for the Council, Dr Augustine Tawiah said the policy will enforce discipline and eliminate non-performing teachers from the system.
He noted the necessary paper works have been done for the full implementation of the policy.
But the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) opposed the policy, describing it as an imposition on teachers.
The teaching body said broader consultation has not been held to address the deficiencies of the policy.
At a news conference in Accra Thursday, NAGRAT Vice President, Angel Carbonu said issues such as the cost of the exam and who to bear the cost have not been addressed by the NTC.
But Reverend Awotwe Pratt said the policy will help to improve the teaching and learning in Ghanaian schools.
He said the special examination will bolster performance of teachers and ensure that only qualified persons are employed.
During our time, we had inspectors who will come around to see to teaching in the classroom and check lesson plans of teachers, he said, adding the routine checks put the teachers on their toes.
Source:Myjoyonline