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Teachers Conclude Two-Day Promotion Aptitude Exams Nationwide as GES, Unions Push Fair, Standardised System

31st December 2025

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | December 31 | Teachers Conclude Two-Day Promotion Aptitude Exams Nationwide as GES, Unions Push Fair, Standardised System

Thousands of Ghanaian teachers have successfully concluded the two-day GES promotion aptitude examination, a system introduced in 2020 to replace face-to-face interviews. Here is why the exams were adopted, how they work, and what comes next.

A Key Moment in Ghana’s Teacher Promotion System

Teachers across Ghana have ended the two-day Promotion Aptitude Examination organized by the Ghana Education Service (GES), marking another critical milestone in the country’s evolving teacher promotion framework.

The examinations, conducted nationwide, covered all eligible ranks and attracted thousands of professional teachers seeking advancement within the service.

The exercise was organised over two days, with Day One (Monday, 29 December 2025) dedicated to Principal Superintendent (PS) and Assistant Director II (AD II) candidates, while Day Two (Tuesday, 30 December 2025) focused on Assistant Director I (AD I) and Deputy Director (DD) ranks.

The conclusion of the exams signals the final assessment phase before promotions are processed for the 2025 cycle, pending marking, validation, and official release of results by GES.

What the Promotion Aptitude Exams Involve

The GES promotion aptitude test is designed to assess both professional competence and institutional knowledge. The two-day examination structure typically focuses on:

Educational leadership and school administration
Teaching and learning methodologies
Assessment, supervision, and classroom management
Ghana Education Service regulations and code of conduct
General knowledge of Ghana’s education system
Professional ethics and inclusive education

Unlike traditional interviews, the aptitude test applies a standardised marking scheme, ensuring uniform assessment across regions, districts, and centres.

Check This Out: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on GES Promotion Guidelines 2025

Why GES and Teacher Unions Adopted Aptitude Tests in 2020

The shift from face-to-face promotion interviews to aptitude examinations began in 2020, following extensive consultations between GES and recognised teacher unions, including GNAT, NAGRAT, and CCT. The decision was driven by several long-standing concerns.

1. Transparency and Fairness

Face-to-face interviews were often criticised for perceived subjectivity, inconsistency, and undue influence. A written aptitude test offers a more objective and traceable assessment process.

2. Nationwide Standardisation

Under the old interview system, outcomes varied widely across regions. The aptitude test introduced a single national benchmark for promotion eligibility.

3. Cost and Logistics

Interviews required extensive travel, accommodation, and prolonged scheduling. The examination model significantly reduced costs for both GES and teachers.

4. Health and Safety Considerations

The initial rollout coincided with COVID-19 restrictions, making large interview panels impractical. The exam-based system ensured continuity without compromising safety.

5. Union Advocacy

Teacher unions consistently pushed for a merit-based, transparent promotion system that minimised human discretion. The aptitude test emerged as a negotiated compromise acceptable to all parties.

Check These Out:

How the New System Has Changed Teacher Promotions

Since its introduction, the promotion aptitude examination has reshaped career progression within GES by:

Reducing delays in promotion processing
Limiting allegations of favouritism
Encouraging continuous professional learning
Aligning promotions with demonstrated knowledge rather than personal presentation skills

While some teachers have called for periodic reviews of exam content, unions have largely maintained support for the system due to its comparative fairness.

What Happens After the Exams

Beyond the immediate post-exam processes, teacher unions have indicated that further relief measures are under discussion. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has confirmed that it is in active talks with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to allow a supplementary promotion aptitude examination in February 2026.

According to the union, the proposed supplementary exam is intended for teachers who met all qualification requirements and duly applied but were unable to write the December papers due to verified challenges.

GNAT leadership has assured affected teachers that engagements with GES are ongoing and that any approved supplementary arrangement will be officially communicated. Following the completion of the two-day exercise:

Scripts are marked using a centralised marking scheme
Results are validated at national level
Qualified candidates are shortlisted
Promotions are effected subject to financial clearance

GES is expected to issue official communication on results and promotion timelines in the coming weeks.

What Teachers Are Saying

Many teachers who participated described the exams as demanding but fair, noting that preparation now depends more on professional reading and experience rather than personal connections. Union leaders have also reiterated calls for timely release of results to prevent anxiety and uncertainty among candidates.

Key Takeaways at a Glance

Teachers nationwide have completed the 2025 promotion aptitude exams
The system replaced face-to-face interviews in 2020
The change was jointly agreed by GES and teacher unions
The exams aim to improve fairness, transparency, and standardisation
Results and promotions are expected after marking and validation
Check This Out: How to download Teachers Promotion Exams App

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the GES Promotion Aptitude Examination? The GES Promotion Aptitude Examination is a nationwide written assessment used to evaluate teachers for promotion based on professional knowledge, leadership skills, ethics, and understanding of the education system.

Q2: Why did GES replace face-to-face promotion interviews with exams? The aptitude test was introduced in 2020 to improve transparency, reduce subjectivity, standardise promotion criteria nationwide, lower costs, and address long-standing concerns raised by teacher unions.

Q3: Which ranks wrote the exams on Day One and Day Two? Day One (29 December 2025) was for Principal Superintendent (PS) and Assistant Director II (AD II) candidates. Day Two (30 December 2025) was for Assistant Director I (AD I) and Deputy Director (DD) candidates.

Q4: Will there be a supplementary promotion exam for those who missed the paper? Yes. GNAT has confirmed ongoing discussions with GES to organise a supplementary exam in February 2026 for qualified teachers who applied but could not write the December exams.

Q5: When will the results of the promotion aptitude exams be released? GES is expected to release results after marking and national validation. Official timelines will be announced through formal GES communication channels.