Ferdinand | EducationGhana | March 28 | Teachers to renew License Annually; CPD Points reduced to 20 Annually

 “The National Teaching Council (NTC) conducts a Quarterly Online Dialogue Series addressing CPD points and license renewal for educators. Learn about the reforms, mandatory trainings, and renewal procedures discussed during the engaging session.”

Introduction

The National Teaching Council (NTC) recently organized an insightful online engagement session as part of its Quarterly Online Dialogue Series, inviting educators and stakeholders to participate. The dialogue, held on March 26, 2024, focused on critical issues surrounding Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points and license renewal for teachers across Ghana.

Addressing CPD Points

One of the key topics discussed during the dialogue was the significance of CPD points in qualifying for license renewal. In response to teachers’ concerns, the NTC introduced reforms aimed at streamlining the CPD point system.

Regardless of rank, educators are now required to accumulate 20 CPD points annually. These points are obtained through mandatory trainings, including Professional Learning Communities and National CPD Day sessions, which are organized on a termly basis.

CPD Points Breakdown

For Basic School Teachers (KG, Primary, and JHS), mandatory trainings contribute 12 CPD points annually, while the remaining 8 points can be earned through Targeted/Specialized Training and Recommended Trainings within the district.

CPD points will qualify you for license renewal. due to complaints from teachers, the NTC brought in some reforms, which indicate that no matter your rank you are supposed to get 20 points a year.

To earn the 20 points, one must undergo mandatory training, including Professional Learning Communities and National CPD Day.

This trainings are termly and must be 4 points a term, that’s is  2 points for Professional Learning Communities and 2 points for National CPD Day. In context, for an Academic year, a GES staff must accrue 12 CPD points under mandatory training.

The 8 points left will be shared between Targeted /Specialised Training and Recommenedd Trainings. For the Targeted/Specialised Training, Service providers organised that for teachers, and teachers are expected to take part in that twice a year to earn 2 points each for one year, that is, 2 points for the first term and 2 points for the second term.

For the Recommened Training, the training will be within the District, either by the District Director who after supervision, realizes the teacher needs training in that area, or the teacher himself taking part in a training to find solution to his or her own teaching challenegs to earn 4 pints a year. The Recommened Trainings could be organised by the superior or teacher initiated. 

For SHS Teachers, the CPD point system operates on a semester basis, with mandatory trainings contributing 12 points per academic year. Similar to Basic School Teachers, SHS educators can obtain the remaining points through district-based Recommended Trainings.

For SHS , there is a difference due to the Semester basis. For them , when the participate in the mandatory training per semester,, they earn 3 points for PLC per semester and 2 points for National CPD Day per semester. When the teacher go on vacation or recess, they are expected to take part in National CPD Day for another 2 points, totalling 12 points.

The teachers shall also go through the  Recommened Training, the training will be within the District, either by the District Director who after supervision, realses the teacher needs training in that area, or the teacher himself taking part in a training to find solution to his or her own teaching challenegs to earn 4 pints a year. Meaning The Recommened Trainings could be organised by the superior or teacher initiated. 

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License Renewal Procedure

License renewal, which occurs annually on December 31st, now requires teachers to accumulate a minimum of 20 CPD points per academic year. Any excess points earned can be carried forward to the following year(s). Licenses that have already expired will be renewed in May 2024, regardless of accumulated points, ensuring continuity in teacher certification.

Conclusion

The online dialogue series conducted by the National Teaching Council serves as a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborative efforts to address key challenges facing educators in Ghana.

By focusing on CPD points and license renewal procedures, the NTC aims to enhance professional development opportunities for teachers while ensuring the highest standards of education delivery.

Through ongoing engagement with educators and stakeholders, the NTC remains committed to promoting excellence in teaching and learning nationwide.