With the rising needs and demands of Ghana, John Kapi, the head of Public Affairs Unit of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has disclosed that the current format of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will likely change.
He says the population and manpower needs of the country is crucial in determining the format of the examination, indicating the high possibility of change.
Mr. Kapi was speaking on the preparedness of the Council in organising this year”s examination which commenced today, Monday, July 08, 2024, across the country, when he made the revelation whilst commenting on the shape and form of the exam.
“There is always a possibility of changing the format depending on the population and the manpower needs of the country and so it is possible that the exam’s format can change,” he said on Accra-based Citi FM Monday.
Meanwhile, the BECE is likely to be expunged as the requirement for entering into senior high school following a proposed Free SHS bill yet to be laid in Parliament.
The bill seeks to restructure the education system by separating junior high school (JHS) from basic school and integrating it into a six-year secondary education framework.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, has explained that upon passing the bill, SHS certification will become the first formal academic qualification in the country, replacing the current BECE certification.
The minister emphasised that the restructuring would ensure a continuous six-year secondary education, with new schools co-locating JHS and SHS students on the same campuses. Existing schools with both JHS and SHS students will continue this practice.
Mr. Kapi further appealed to all the stakeholders in the exam to desist from all forms of malpractice.
“We have appealed to all the candidates, parents, guardians, teachers, and supervisors, and what we are saying is that we don’t expect the candidates to come to the exam hall with any foreign material and they should do independent work and should not solicit support from anybody within or outside the examination hall. No smart watches or any form of electronic gadget should be brought to the exam hall,” he indicated.