If you want us licensed, pay for it- NAGRAT tells gov’t

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The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is calling for broader consultation on the teacher licensing exam policy to address its many deficiencies.

The teaching body said the current state of the policy, recommended by the National Teaching Council (NTC), does not endear itself to stakeholders in the education sector.

Addressing a news conference in Accra Thursday, NAGRAT Vice President, Angel Carbonu said there are issues that must be addressed including cost of the exam and who to bear the cost.

“If the cost associated with the operation of the policy is left unaddressed, how can one expect those who may have to pay for it to embrace the policy?” he asked.

Related Article: NAGRAT opposes teacher licensing exams

NAGRAT is not happy about the level of consultation of stakeholders.

The NTC, a body under the Education Ministry, announced teachers would now have to sit for a special examination before they will be granted a license to teach in the country.

The Council explained the policy will enforce discipline and eliminate non-performing teachers from the system.

Executive Secretary-designate for the Council, Dr Augustine Tawiah said the necessary paper works have been done for the full implementation of the policy.

But NAGRAT kicked against the policy, describing it as an imposition on teachers.

The teaching body said it is not against the policy in principle but opposed to plans to undermine them.

“It becomes very surprising when some players arrogate every decision making and activities in the education industry to themselves with impunity and turn around in mock surprise that we are asking questions,” Mr Carbonu said.

He said their position on the policy stemmed from the fact that a “mere issuance and acquisition of a licensing” is not satisfactory in itself to bring about effective teaching and learning.

“The National Teaching Council will do itself some good if it comes out clear with the cost involved and those responsible for them,” NAGRAT’s Vice President said, adding the absence of stakeholder consultation will rob the policy of its proactiveness.

Mr Carbonu said the position of NAGRAT is that since “NTC is a creature of the government and the law, the government should be responsible in bearing the cost that will be associated with this programme.”

Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com