Licensing regime: We are not at war- NTC tells teacher unions

The ongoing rumpus in the educational sector over the licensing of teachers may just be a storm in a tea cup.

This because the National Teaching Council (NTC), the body said to be championing the licentiate regime has said no decision has yet been taken on when the policy will be executed and the modalities it will take.
At best, Dr Evelyn Oduro said the claim by Dr Augustine Tawiah a past member of the NTC that the licensing regime will begin this academic must be taken only on face value.

“It is somebody who is speaking his mind,” Dr Oduro reacted to the comments by her predecessor, adding, that no concrete decision has been taken on the implementation date.

She said a decision will be taken and same will be communicated after thorough consultations have been made.
Her remarks come in the wake of a huge controversy over a new licensing regime which is to take effect sooner than later.

The immediate past Executive Secretary of the NTC is believed to have sparked this controversy when he revealed last week at the closing ceremony of a five-day training workshop that teachers will have to be licensed beginning this academic year.

The move, according to him, is to enforce discipline and eliminate non-performing teachers from the system, in accordance with the new Teachers Licensing Policy under the Education Act 778 (2008).

But his comments have triggered a barrage of criticisms from selected teacher unions.
Both NAGRAT and GNAT have raised issues about the licensing of teachers and have criticized the NTC for not engaging them before announcing the policy implementation plans.

Head of NAGRAT Angel Cabonu has insisted his outfit will resist the implementation of the policy if they are not engaged.

An Education Consultant Dr Prince Armah who waded into the controversy also called for the restructuring of the NTC in order to ensure that the Council is truly independent.

He hinted the licensing regime announced by Augustine Tawiah was a little questionable.
As if to corroborate the assertions of the Education Consultant, the incoming Executive Director of the NTC told Joy News’ Evans Mensah “the new council has not given clearance” for a licensing regime.
“We are not our war…” she said and asked aggrieved teacher unions to come to the table and discuss the issues comprehensively.

“I am surprised by all these,” she stated. When asked if the incoming Council will not introduce the licensing regime by end of the academic year, Dr Evelyn Oduro would not be emphatic.
She said that the Council has begun meeting the various stakeholders and will take a definite decision on the matter after which a statement will be issued.

According to her, they have begun meeting the stakeholders some of whom have raised issues about the nomenclature to be used in licensing the teachers.

She was unequivocal that if a license will issued, it will be a professional license to empower teachers.

Angel Carbonu addressing a press conference on teacher trainee issue
NAGRAT Boss Angel Carbonu said the work of the NTC is far bigger than licensing.

He wants the NTC to also work on establishing better standards for the teaching profession.
Even though he admitted that they have met the NTC, he said the various discussions have centred on much bigger issues than just licensing.

 

primenewsghana.com/Ghana News