The Ministry of Education has directed the National Teaching Council (NTC) to completely phase out the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) by August 30, 2025, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at reshaping teacher qualification and education standards across the country.
The announcement was made by Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, during the inauguration of the newly constituted governing board of the NTC on Tuesday, July 15.
In outlining the new direction, Minister Iddrisu said the government is shifting focus from standardised testing to a more holistic framework that prioritises academic training, practicum-based fieldwork, and classroom readiness over paper-based examinations.
“The last of the Teacher Licensure Exams must be concluded not later than August 30. If there is a final opportunity for those who sat and couldn’t make it, that process should not go beyond August 30,” he stated.
The GTLE was introduced in 2018 by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration to standardise teacher qualifications across the country.
The exam typically covered three major areas: General Professional Knowledge, Pedagogy tailored to the teacher’s level of specialization, and Content Knowledge relevant to the curriculum area.
While the exam was originally designed to raise the professional bar within the teaching sector, its relevance has increasingly been questioned by education stakeholders, particularly over its emphasis on testing rather than practical teaching skills.
The minister’s directive to discontinue the GTLE signals a shift toward a more practice-oriented teacher development model that aligns with contemporary global education trends.
Education Curriculum Overhaul: Coding, AI, and Robotics from KG
In a related development, Minister Iddrisu also announced a forthcoming national curriculum revision to integrate cutting-edge digital skills, including artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics, from the kindergarten level.
Speaking at the 2025 World Youth Skills Day event, he described the decision as a strategic response to the demands of the future workforce.
“This is about future-proofing Ghana’s education system. Digital skills will no longer be an optional add-on. They will be foundational—starting from KG,” the Minister said.
Push for TVET Fund and Budget Allocation
The Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revitalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), proposing the creation of a dedicated TVET Fund with 2.5% of the national budget allocated annually to the sector.
“I am targeting 2.5% of total revenue or budgetary allocation to establish a strong technical education fund,” he disclosed, adding that part of the fund will be used to support the National Apprenticeship Program.
He emphasized that investment in TVET is essential to creating a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and job creation.
Government Commitment to Inclusive Skills Development
Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, also addressed participants at the Youth Skills Day event, reiterating the administration’s resolve to ensure no young Ghanaian is left behind in the country’s digital and industrial transformation.
“Young people are already engaged in technical and vocational training and contributing directly to industries—from manufacturing smartphones to building critical infrastructure. Under the NDC, we will scale this up with integrated training in AI, robotics, and data science,” she stated.
The occasion, which drew stakeholders from across the education and development sectors, was organised in collaboration with international partners, including the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union, as part of a renewed national push to advance youth employability through 21st-century skills.
