Dr Christian Addai-Poku, the Registrar of the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE), has disclosed that 6,481 teachers failed the 2023 national teacher licensure exams out of 7,728 prospective teachers who participated.
This implies that only 1,277 candidates, representing 16.1 per cent of the total, passed the examination.
The registrar also noted that all the candidates had previously attempted the examination, with some individuals attempting the exams for the ninth time.
He highlighted that those who did not pass could retake the exam later in the year before any changes were made to the format and content.
He said candidates who would fail at their last chance and would want to continue to resit the exam are those with first degree.
“Those with a diploma will be required to upgrade themselves to acquire a first degree before they can resit the exam.”
“We are reforming and restructuring the examination, and we will start it this year with those who have qualified to write it for the first time,” he added.
He said unlike the current examination, where the candidates were examined in numeracy, literacy, and professional skills, this time around, they would have to be examined in a specific area of speciality.
Dr Addai-Poku further explained that a candidate who aspired to teach geography must, in addition to the three areas, be examined in geography.
The Government introduced the Teachers Licensure Exams in 2019 to improve the professional standard and status of teachers in the country.
The National Teaching Council is mandated by the Education Act 2008 (Act 778), section 9, to improve the professional standing and status of teachers and to license and register teachers in Ghana.