The call for a more rigorous approach to the teacher licensure exams regime has been made by the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Asare proposed that individuals should only be allowed to take the exam twice.
He stressed that the exam evaluates not only pedagogic skills and subject content knowledge but also literacy skills. Mr. Asare expressed the belief that candidates who fail the exam on their first attempt due to a lack of proficiency in the English Language should not be given another opportunity.
“If a prospective teacher demonstrates an incapacity to read and write or shows low proficiency in the English Language, that should be it. You cannot learn English in tertiary education, so that should be the end. It is non-negotiable. We shouldn’t allow them to even write it for a second time,” Mr. Asare stated.
However, he noted that candidates struggling with pedagogic skills or subject content may be given a second chance. This, according to him, will enhance the standard of teaching in both public and private schools, ultimately benefiting Ghanaian children.
Mr. Asare emphasized the importance of upholding or improving the standard of teachers and teaching in schools. He called on everyone to support the Teacher Licensure initiative for the benefit of the children.
The focus on the English Language proficiency of prospective teachers is seen as a critical factor in maintaining quality education standards. By ensuring that teachers have a strong grasp of the language, it is believed that the overall quality of education in Ghana will improve.
