In a time when economic meltdown has caused productivity to plummet, derailing many agencies from their targets, we have remained steadily on course. This has been mainly due to our determination to stay afloat and our passion to consistently keep NTC on top. This is because majority of us are great people whose burning desires for greater laurels are simply unquenchable. Yes, there might have been few downs and pushbacks but we have not allowed the noise of the few negatives to drown the sweet sounds of the good around us.
While we have done so much to desire a pat on the shoulders, most of us feel that we still haven’t reached our optimum. And thus, in our quieter moments we sense there is much we can do for our teachers, learners and indeed NTC. From the Governing Board to Management and to the lowest ranked staff; From our teacher unions to service providers, sponsors, partners and team of experts to all other stakeholders, it has been a fabulous experience in our relentless effort to make NTC great and to contribute towards improved educational outcomes.
This year has seen the completion of the in-service teachers’ registration and licensing across the country. This does not only set the stage for full scale compliance and enforcement but also provides us a reliable data on teachers in the Country.
The implementation of the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) reforms is on course. We have conducted extensive stakeholder consultation and sensitisation. We selected subject experts who have supported us to complete the architecture of the subject-based licensure exams setting the stage for a smooth take-off early next year.
We have made the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) an integral part of the teaching profession. Our teachers are taking advantage of the various avenues for professional development, including online contents to sharpen their skills and acquire more points towards licence renewals. We concede the pushbacks on the CPD points system and are working hard to fine tune it for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.
This year saw two beautiful programmes of international standards. The Conference of Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA) which was held in May this year has been touted by the Federation as the best ever, even though we had just emerged from the pandemic. We also had a beautiful Ghana Teacher Prize celebration in October this year in Tamale. The grand durbar which was graced by His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana was extraordinary. We followed it up with a stupendous sponsors’ appreciation ceremony recently.
We have engaged stakeholders on accreditation of teachers education institutions in accordance with our mandate. We have secured funding for the revision of the National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework (NTECF). This is to fully integrate high school teacher education and to be deliberate on STEM and TVET.
The ensuing year will be exciting as we work to consolidate the gains and to make giant strides in breaking new grounds. The year 2023 will be action packed with limitless acceleration.
Gratitude to the Honourable Minister for Education and his Deputies , the Governing Board, Staff, Teachers, Service Providers, Teacher Unions, and Private School Associations . Other critical partners Such as GES, GTVETS, NaCCA, NaSIA, GTEC, CTVET, Reforms Secretariat, UNESCO, UNICEF, The World Bank, Big Win Philanthropy, T-TEL and others have been so phenomenal in their collaboration and support in carrying out our mandate. Our best is in the years ahead !!!
Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year.
Christian Addai-Poku, PhD
Registrar
National Teaching Council