‘We’re not scared of licensing exams’ – GNAT

The National Association of Teachers (GNAT) says it is not petrified at the decision by the National Teachers Council to make teachers take a mandatory licensing examination before they are allowed to enter the classroom.

Acting GNAT President, Philipppa Larsen, said apart from the plan to licence teachers, the Council must also take up seriously, its responsibility to regularly train the teachers on the job.

Ms. Larsen said for years, the government has reneged on the duty of sharpening the knowledge of teachers while it has also failed to provide working tools for them.

The NTC announced the decision to license teachers after they successfully pass an examination in accordance with the new Teachers Licensing Policy under the Education Act 778 (2008).

However, two teaching bodies – National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and GNAT – are kicking against the decision primarily because, they were excluded from the processes leading to the resolution to enforce it.

Speaking to the issue Friday, 18 August 2017, the acting GNAT President said: “Whether teachers are licensed or not the logistics that they need to work with are also another problem.

“Our concern is the fact that we have not been recognised” in the modalities leading to the arrival of the decision to implement the policy,” Ms. Larson stated.