The National Teaching Council (NTC) has introduced a new structure for the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE). This change is to make sure that teachers in Ghana are well-prepared for the classroom and can meet professional standards. The reforms aim to improve the quality of teaching and learning across the country.
Why the GTLE Matters
The GTLE is a professional exam every teacher must pass before being licensed to teach in Ghana. It ensures that teachers have:
The right knowledge,
The right teaching skills,
The right attitudes and ethics to handle students.
What the Exam Covers
The new GTLE is made up of three main papers:
1. General Professional Knowledge
Tests literacy (reading and writing), numeracy (basic mathematics), and general teaching skills.
2. Pedagogy (How to Teach)
Focuses on methods of teaching.
Varies based on the teacher’s level (Early Childhood, Primary, JHS, SHS, or Technical/Vocational).
Now includes both theory and teaching practice.
3. Subject Specialization
For Early Grade and Primary, this is a Multiple Subjects paper.
For JHS, SHS, and TVET teachers, this is a Single Subject paper in their area of specialization.
How Questions Are Set
The exam tests candidates at different thinking levels:
15% recall of facts (memory)
25% skills and concepts
30% critical thinking
30% extended problem-solving
This means the GTLE is not only about memorizing but also about applying knowledge.
Key Reforms in the GTLE
1. Exam Integrated into Final-Year Assessment
Before: Graduates wrote the licensure exam about a year after school.
Now: The exam is written during final-year exams in Colleges of Education.
2. Writing at Your Own Institution
Before: Candidates traveled to external exam centers.
Now: Students write the GTLE at their own college.
3. Pedagogy Assessment Changed
Before: 100% theory paper.
Now: 70% theory + 30% practical teaching practice.
4. Resit System Changed
Before: Candidates could resit independently.
Now: If you fail, you must return to school and rewrite with the next batch of final-year students.
Transition Plan
The last exam under the old system was held in August 2025.
From Now Current Level 400 onwards, all candidates will write under the new structure.
Those who fail the last old exam must join final-year students in colleges to rewrite.
Conclusion
The new structure of the GTLE is designed to improve the quality of teachers in Ghana. By adding teaching practice and integrating the exam into college assessments, the NTC is making sure that teachers are well-tested before they step into the classroom. This reform is a big step toward raising teaching standards and ensuring quality education for Ghanaian students.