National CPD Day to focus on Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
The Ghana Education Service (GES) Headquarters has declared Friday, September 25, 2026, as National Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Day for teachers across the country.
The declaration is contained in a letter dated September 15, 2026, with reference number GES/DD-G(MS)/1/26/426, signed by Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs.), Deputy Director-General, Management Services, for the Director-General.
The letter, addressed to all Regional Directors of Education, directs them to disseminate the information to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors, Regional Managers of Education Units and Heads of Schools and to coordinate arrangements for the successful implementation of the CPD activities.
The 2026 National CPD Day will be organised under the theme:
“Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Empowering Teachers to Assess Learning.”
Article Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Ghana Education Service |
| Programme | National Continuous Professional Development Day |
| Date | Friday, September 25, 2026 |
| Theme | Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Empowering Teachers to Assess Learning |
| Circular Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Reference | GES/DD-G(MS)/1/26/426 |
| Issued By | GES Headquarters |
| Target Group | Teachers |
| Enquiries | ddgmssecretariat@ges.gov.gh |
Fact Check & Editorial Review
Status: Authentic GES communication supplied for publication
The declaration of Friday, September 25, 2026 as National Continuous Professional Development Day is contained in a GES Headquarters communication dated September 15, 2026.
The circular requests Regional Directors to disseminate the information to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors, Regional Managers of Education Units and Heads of Schools and to coordinate arrangements for participation and implementation.
EducateGhana editorially interprets the theme as an indication of GES’s focus on helping teachers respond to the changing assessment environment created by artificial intelligence.
The circular itself, however, does not state that September 25 is a public holiday, nor does it provide a single nationwide venue or uniform starting time for all teachers. Local arrangements are therefore expected to be communicated through the appropriate education authorities and school leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Friday, September 25, 2026 has been declared National CPD Day by GES.
- The programme is for teachers across the country.
- The 2026 theme focuses on assessment in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
- Teachers will be expected to participate in the CPD activities organised through the GES structure.
- Regional Directors have been directed to coordinate implementation.
- Information is to be cascaded to Metro, Municipal and District Directors, Education Unit Managers and Heads of Schools.
- The circular does not describe September 25 as a public holiday.
- Specific venues, times and local arrangements should be obtained from the relevant education authorities or school leadership.
➡️ Related: GES Opens 2026 Promotion Exercise for Non-Teaching Staff
➡️ Related: AI in Ghana Education: What Teachers Need to Know
Introduction
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how information is produced, accessed and evaluated in education.
For teachers, one of the most immediate challenges is assessment. Traditional classroom assessment practices are increasingly being affected by the availability of generative AI tools that can produce essays, answer questions, solve problems and assist learners with assignments.
It is against this changing educational environment that the Ghana Education Service has selected “Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Empowering Teachers to Assess Learning” as the theme for the 2026 National Continuous Professional Development Day.
The national CPD programme will take place on Friday, September 25, 2026.
What Is National CPD Day?
National CPD Day is part of the Ghana Education Service’s continuing effort to support the professional development of its staff.
The September 25 programme provides an opportunity for teachers to engage in professional learning around a common national theme.
According to the GES communication, Regional Directors are responsible for ensuring that the information reaches the relevant education authorities and school leaders within their jurisdictions.
Heads of Schools and other education managers will therefore play an important role in communicating local arrangements to teachers.
➡️ Related: Continuous Professional Development for Teachers in Ghana: A Practical Guide
2026 CPD Day Theme: Assessment in the Age of AI
The theme for the 2026 National CPD Day is:
“Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Empowering Teachers to Assess Learning.”
The theme addresses one of the most important questions facing contemporary education: How can teachers determine what learners genuinely know and can do when artificial intelligence can generate answers, essays and other forms of academic work?
The issue goes beyond detecting whether a student has used AI.
Teachers increasingly need assessment strategies that provide stronger evidence of individual understanding, reasoning, application and learning.
This may require greater attention to assessment methods that allow learners to demonstrate their thinking rather than merely submit AI-generated or internet-sourced responses.
Why AI Matters for Classroom Assessment
Generative AI has created new possibilities for education, but it has also complicated traditional approaches to assessment.
A learner can now use AI tools to generate a response to an essay question, explain a mathematical concept, summarise a passage or produce a draft for an assignment.
This means that a submitted piece of work may not always provide sufficient evidence of the learner’s independent understanding.
Teachers therefore need to consider how assessment can capture authentic learning.
Assessment May Need to Become More Authentic
Teachers may increasingly use activities that require learners to:
- explain how they arrived at an answer;
- defend their conclusions;
- apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations;
- demonstrate practical skills;
- participate in oral questioning;
- complete supervised classroom tasks;
- reflect on their learning process;
- interpret local or classroom-based situations; and
- demonstrate skills through projects and practical activities.
These approaches do not necessarily eliminate AI use. Rather, they can make it easier for teachers to determine whether learners understand the work they submit.
What Teachers May Gain from the 2026 CPD Programme
The theme provides an opportunity for teachers to reconsider how assessment is designed and administered in AI-enabled learning environments.
Professional discussions may include questions such as:
How can teachers distinguish learning from AI-generated responses?
A sophisticated AI-generated answer may appear impressive without necessarily representing the learner’s own understanding.
Teachers need assessment approaches that provide multiple forms of evidence of learning.
Should teachers ban AI completely?
The question is more complex than simply allowing or banning AI.
Teachers need to understand the educational purpose of AI, establish appropriate boundaries and ensure that assessment remains aligned with the intended learning outcomes.
How should assessment tasks change?
Teachers may need to design tasks that require learners to demonstrate reasoning, application, reflection and personal understanding.
How can AI support assessment?
AI can potentially assist teachers with activities such as generating question ideas, providing feedback suggestions, identifying patterns in learner responses and supporting differentiated instruction.
However, professional judgement remains essential. AI-generated outputs should not automatically be treated as accurate or suitable for classroom use.
➡️ Related: How Teachers Can Use Artificial Intelligence Responsibly in the Classroom
GES Directs Regional Directors to Coordinate Activities
The GES communication directs Regional Directors to disseminate the information throughout their regions.
The information is expected to reach:
- Metropolitan Directors;
- Municipal Directors;
- District Directors;
- Regional Managers of Education Units; and
- Heads of Schools.
Regional Directors are also expected to coordinate the necessary arrangements to ensure participation and successful implementation of the CPD activities.
This means teachers should look to their respective education management structures and school leadership for specific information concerning the local organisation of the programme.
What Teachers Should Do Ahead of September 25
Teachers should begin preparing for the programme by paying attention to official communication from their schools, districts and other relevant education authorities.
They should also consider the broader implications of the theme for their own classrooms.
1. Review Current Assessment Practices
Teachers can examine whether their existing assignments adequately demonstrate what individual learners know and can do.
2. Learn About Responsible AI Use
Teachers should become familiar with the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools.
3. Protect Assessment Integrity
Where necessary, teachers should design assessment activities that provide stronger evidence of authentic learning.
4. Avoid Treating AI Detection as a Perfect Solution
AI-detection tools can produce inaccurate results. Teachers should therefore avoid treating an automated AI-detection score as conclusive evidence of academic misconduct.
5. Follow Official CPD Arrangements
Teachers should obtain information about the venue, time and other arrangements from their school or education management authorities.
National CPD Day Is Not the Same as a Public Holiday
An important clarification is necessary.
The GES declaration of September 25, 2026, as National CPD Day should not automatically be interpreted as a declaration of a public holiday.
The circular concerns professional development activities for GES teachers.
Teachers should therefore follow the instructions and arrangements communicated through the GES education management structure rather than assume that schools or other institutions will observe the day as a general public holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 National CPD Day?
The 2026 National CPD Day is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026.
What is the theme?
The theme is “Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Empowering Teachers to Assess Learning.”
Who is expected to participate?
The programme is intended for teachers within the Ghana Education Service.
Who will communicate the local arrangements?
Information will be cascaded through Regional, Metropolitan, Municipal and District education authorities and Heads of Schools.
Is September 25 a public holiday?
The GES circular declares the date as National CPD Day. It does not state that September 25 is a public holiday.
What is the focus of the CPD?
The stated focus is assessment in the context of artificial intelligence and empowering teachers to assess learning effectively.
Where can teachers seek clarification?
The GES circular provides ddgmssecretariat@ges.gov.gh for enquiries.
Conclusion
The Ghana Education Service has designated Friday, September 25, 2026, as National Continuous Professional Development Day for teachers, with a theme that places artificial intelligence and classroom assessment at the centre of professional learning.
The choice of “Assessment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” is particularly relevant as schools and teachers grapple with the growing availability of generative AI tools.
The challenge is not simply how to determine whether a learner has used AI. It is how to design assessment systems that continue to provide credible evidence of learning, reasoning, application, creativity and professional competence.
For teachers, the September 25 CPD programme therefore represents an important opportunity to rethink assessment practices and explore responsible ways of responding to AI in education.
Teachers should watch for further communication from their schools and education management authorities regarding the specific arrangements for the day’s activities.
About the Author
Ferdinand Ellis is a Ghanaian education blogger, curriculum specialist, researcher and education policy analyst. He is the founder of EducateGhana.com, Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform, and writes on education policy, teacher education, curriculum implementation, assessment, examinations and emerging technologies in education.
Editorial Note
This report is based on the Ghana Education Service Headquarters communication dated September 15, 2026, Reference GES/DD-G(MS)/1/26/426.
EducateGhana.com distinguishes between information explicitly stated in the GES communication and editorial interpretation of the implications of the CPD theme. Teachers should rely on subsequent official communication from GES, Regional and District education authorities and their school leadership for local arrangements.
Source: Ghana Education Service Headquarters communication, September 15, 2026.
