A major development has emerged in the ongoing 2025 Ghana Education Service (GES) teacher promotion exercise, following growing concerns from qualified teachers who were unable to sit for the December 2025 promotion examinations.
In an official statement dated 4th February 2026, the Ghana Education Service has confirmed that a supplementary aptitude test has been scheduled for affected teachers who applied for the 2025 promotion but were unable to write the examination due to circumstances beyond their control.
Background: The December 2025 Promotion Examinations
The 2025 GES Promotion Examinations were conducted in December 2025 for teachers seeking promotion to higher professional ranks, including:
- Assistant Director II (AD II)
- Assistant Director I (AD I)
- Principal Superintendent (PS)
- Deputy Director (DD)
The examinations were held as follows:
- 29th December 2025 – AD II and PS candidates
- 30th December 2025 – AD I and DD candidates
While the exercise proceeded nationwide, a number of duly shortlisted teachers who had received index numbers and were cleared to write the exams were unable to attend on the scheduled dates.
Why Some Teachers Missed the December Exams
Affected teachers have consistently maintained that their absence was not deliberate. Reasons cited include:
- Medical emergencies and hospitalization
- Critical family emergencies
- Accidents and sudden health conditions
- Other unavoidable circumstances beyond their control
Despite meeting all eligibility requirements and receiving official index numbers, these teachers were automatically excluded from the promotion process due to their absence.
Growing Concerns and Calls for Consideration
The exclusion sparked widespread concern within the education sector, as missing a promotion cycle can have long-term consequences for teachers, including delayed salary adjustments, prolonged stagnation in rank, and reduced professional morale.
Stakeholders argued that the situation revealed a policy gap, especially as GES had already acknowledged administrative omissions affecting some candidates.
Official Update: Supplementary Aptitude Test Announced
In response, the Ghana Education Service has now officially announced a Supplementary Aptitude Test for the 2025 Teacher Promotion Exercise.
According to the statement issued by the GES Public Relations Unit:
- The supplementary aptitude test will be conducted on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, at 9:00 am.
- The exercise is specifically for qualified teachers who applied for the 2025 promotion but could not take the test due to circumstances beyond their control.
Examination Centres and Zonal Groupings
GES has grouped examination centres into four zones as follows:
- Wesley College of Education, Kumasi
Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East - University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast
Central, Western, Western North - Accra College of Education, Accra
Eastern, Greater Accra, Oti, Volta - Tamale College of Education, Tamale
North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West
Release of Index Numbers
GES further announced that index numbers will be released directly to candidates via text message by Monday, 9th February 2026.
What This Update Means for Affected Teachers
This development brings relief to many teachers who feared permanent exclusion from the 2025 promotion process despite being duly qualified and shortlisted. The supplementary examination demonstrates GES’s willingness to address genuine cases affected by unforeseen challenges while maintaining the integrity of the promotion system.
Current Status
With the supplementary aptitude test now officially confirmed, affected teachers are advised to remain alert and rely strictly on authorized GES communication channels for updates regarding their index numbers and examination details.
Final Thoughts
The announcement of the supplementary aptitude test marks a significant step toward balancing administrative procedure with fairness and human consideration. As the examination date approaches, attention now shifts to its smooth implementation and the assurance that no qualified teacher is unduly disadvantaged due to circumstances beyond their control.
This article will be updated if further official guidance is issued by the Ghana Education Service.
Source: GESHub.org
