The group claim that the intended examination is a strategy by government to cut down the employment of teachers and deny them and their dependants of their livelihood.

The group, numbering about 500 converged on the premises of the Wesley College of Education at New Tafo (Krofrom), paraded through some principal streets in the Kumasi metropolis and presented their petition to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

Clad in red bands, they carried placards, some of which read: "Where are the learning materials NTC," "Say No to License Exams", "We are tired of your empty promises NTC."

The spokesperson for the group, Mr Eric Tetteh, said they were ready to comply with government in all its policies to strengthen education in the country, but the idea for teachers to acquire licencing certificate after successfully completing training college was unacceptable.

He said that the group would advise itself accordingly if the authorities fail to address their issues before its implementation come next year.

He, however, emphasised that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was a listening President, and that they were optimistic that their plea would catch his attention and ensure that the right thing was done.

Background

The National Teachers Council (NTC) has announced that from January 2018, teachers would have to pass a special licensure examination before being granted the licence to teach.

The move, according to the NTC is in accordance with the new Teachers Licencing Policy under the Education Act 778 (2008). The move is aimed at enforcing discipline and eliminate non-performing teachers from the system.

The NTC has said that beginning next January, the ministry would undertake re-registration of all teachers in the country to facilitate the issuance of the licences.

The renewal of the licence, according to the NTC, would be based on professional competence and development of teachers, and that, all teachers would be expected to renew their licence within three to five years.