Ghanaian teachers who hold valid teaching licenses can now obtain qualified teacher status (QTS) in the United Kingdom without going through the previously demanding procedures. This announcement was made by Dr. Christian Addai-Poku, the Registrar of the National Teaching Council (NTC).
Speaking on the EduTalk Show with Emefa Apawu on JoyNews, Dr. Addai-Poku highlighted that Ghana, along with Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, are the only four African nations that have been granted this special recognition by the UK.
“Only four countries in Africa have been given the dispensation of not going through the rigorous process to become a qualified teacher in the United Kingdom. If you’re a Ghanaian teacher with a valid license, upon arriving in the UK, you’ll immediately be granted qualified teacher status,” he explained.
In the past, Ghanaian teachers had to navigate a complex and lengthy process to qualify for teaching positions in the UK. However, this new recognition comes after an evaluation of the teacher training systems in these four countries, which were found to meet the standards required by the UK.
“Previously, there was a lot of rigor involved in becoming a qualified teacher in the UK. Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe were assessed, and it was determined that their training systems meet the UK’s standards,” Dr. Addai-Poku added.
He also emphasized that the introduction of the Teacher Licensure Examination in 2018 has been crucial in ensuring that Ghanaian teachers possess the necessary skills for quality education delivery. The examination serves as a key measure to determine whether teachers meet the standards required for employment by the Ghana Education Service (GES).
“On average, about 68% of teachers meet the right standards, as reflected in the pass rate for the licensure exams. This consistency shows that most of our teachers are well-prepared for classroom duties,” the NTC Registrar noted.
The consistent pass rate of around 68% since the inception of the licensure exams demonstrates that a majority of Ghanaian teachers are adequately qualified for their roles. Dr. Addai-Poku stressed that the purpose of the exams is to maintain high standards in the profession, rather than to discourage aspiring teachers.
“The exams are designed not to disqualify or discourage, but to uphold the standards of the teaching profession,” he emphasized.
With the UK now recognizing Ghana’s teacher training standards, Dr. Addai-Poku believes that this development opens up more opportunities for Ghanaian educators seeking international experience. The simplified process for recognizing Ghanaian teacher qualifications allows teachers from Ghana to transition smoothly into teaching roles in the UK, contributing to the global education system.
