President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the newly introduced policy of teacher licensing is not to put an impediment in the way of teachers but to enhance the quality of education in the country.
He said it is a policy which will maintain best practice in the sector.
President Akufo-Addo remarked about the policy on Monday, when he joined staff and students of University of Education, Winneba (UEW) to induct its new Vice Chancellor into office.
Very Reverend Father Professor Anthony Afful-Broni assumed the reins as the new VC of UEW despite several attempts to stop the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, President Akufo-Addo said his government is committed to making teaching a vital part of national development.
He said government does not want persons who enroll to become teachers to make it a job of last resort or a stop-gap career choice.
He explained, therefore, that the new policy of teacher licensing must be embraced by all “if education is important to us”.
“This policy is not intended to put any impediment in the way of our teachers from our colleges of education and other tertiary institutions,” he said.
“On the contrary, it is meant to enhance professionalism in teaching and guaranteeing that our teachers meet a minimum standard of qualification through an independent examination so as to be able to teach in our classrooms.
“If education is important to us, then it requires that we maintain best standards.”
The introduction of the policy has been greeted with opposition from the teachers especially those undergoing training, some of whom have demonstrated against the policy.
The first of the licensure examination was taken on Monday, September 17, despite a delay in its start.
Some of the teacher trainees who sat the exams have expressed concerns the Ghana Education Service (GES) may sideline many during posting.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana