Mahama Forces Gov’t To Postpone “Nuisance” Teacher Licensure Exams

The calendar for the September 2020 edition of the controversial teachers’ licensure examinations instituted by the Akufo Addo government has suddenly been postponed after the 2020 Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) promised to scrap it upon his election as President in December.

The hasty retreat re-echoes a similar knee-jerk reaction of the Akufo Addo administration to accept to legalise commercial motorcycle operations “Okada” after the NDC flagbearer had earlier promised same.

A release from the NTC said the September 24 and 25 2020, examination dates have been pushed back to October 1 and 2, 2020 respectively.

Dennis Osei-Owusu, Public Relations Officer of the NTC has claimed that the change had become imperative because of the change in the date of the end of the second semester examination for the continuous students of the various colleges of education across the country.

“The council uses the colleges of education as centres for the GTLE and so their postponement affected the initial dates.”

However, critics say it is a subtle push by the cornered government to scrap the highly incendiary examination for qualified teachers.

Many wonder how the NTC could not gauge the time clashes between the licensure exams and changes in the dates for the examination for continuing college students until John Mahama announced that he will do away with the exams altogether if elected President.

The NDC Flagbearer’s announcement was received with applause by many teachers who have felt that the licensure exams is an insulting and redundant exercise, particularly after studying for many years to qualify as teachers.

On social media, many are not buying the NTC PRO’s explanation for the postponement of the licensure exams.

Meanwhile, per the new schedule, on Thursday, October 1, 2020, the candidates will write Literacy in the morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., while Essential Professional Skills will be written from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Then on Friday, October 2, 2020, the candidates will complete their examination with Numeracy from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.