A recent study conducted by six researchers from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has shown that teachers who were trained at colleges of education in Ghana have performed better in the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) compared to those from universities.
The research, which surveyed over 3,000 respondents who had written the GTLE from 2018 to 2021, revealed that the pass rate of those from colleges was 79%, while those from universities had a pass rate of 71%.
Purpose of the Research
The objective of the researchers was to evaluate the GTLE against its initial target, identify emerging challenges and suggest recommendations for improvement.
The Senior Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy at UEW, Dr Richardson Addai-Mununkum, presented the research report, An Evaluation of the GTLE, in Accra on Thursday. He noted that the findings were fascinating.
Overview of GTLE
The GTLE was established by the Ghanaian government in 2019, backed by the Education Act of 2008, Act 778, and the first teacher licensure examination was held in September 2018.
It is an examination aimed at licensing and certifying all professional teachers in Ghana, as a policy geared towards improving the professional standing of teachers in the country. Supervised by the National Teaching Council (NTC), the licensure test prepares new teachers entering the service and those already in active service.
Areas of Examination
The GTLE covers three areas, Essential Professional Skills (EPSs), Literacy and Numeracy. Successful candidates are qualified for employment in the Ghana Education Service (GES) or other teaching appointments within the country or globally.
Although the examination is essential for all teachers, Dr Addai-Mununkum noted that the colleges of education prepared students better for the National Teachers Standards (NTS), while universities concentrated too much on content areas.
Significance of the Research
Dr Addai-Mununkum added that 53% of those who failed the examination believed it was a worthy exercise. Over a quarter of respondents, however, had reservations about the numeracy component of the GTLE, as they needed to pass all three sections (EPSs, Literacy and Numeracy) to get the license.
This report should encourage policymakers to direct more resources towards training teachers at colleges of education to develop teaching skills based on National Teacher Standards (NTS).