NaCCA asked to come clear on BECE optional, compulsory subjects
Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) has called on the National Curriculum and Assessment Council (NaCCA) to come clear on optional and compulsory subjects for the 2024 edition of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The education think tank’s call comes after the West African Examinations Council to administer the national examination said candidates will sit Computing as a compulsory subject and Ghanaian Language as an optional subject.
However, the National Curriculum and Assessment Council (NaCCA) in a statement contradicting the not-for-profit organization WAEC indicated Computing and Ghanaian language subjects are compulsory for 2024 BECE.
“All learners are expected to study and be examined in English Language, Mathematics, and Science. Social Studies, Ghanaian Language, Religious and Moral Education, Creative Arts, Career Technology, Computing, French, and Arabic
It is important to note that there are no optional subjects for the CCP Curriculum. With the Ghanaian Language subjects, schools are to choose any of the Ghanaian Languages based on the schools’ capacity, and learners will be examined on these Ghanaian Languages at the BECE,” NaCCA said in a press statement dated February 23, 2024.
The NaCCA management added “This policy has not changed; therefore, suggestions that the Common Core Programme introduces optional subjects for the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are incorrect.
Meanwhile, the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the auspices of the Ministry of Education (MoE) on its part has said Computing subject will be optional and the Ghanaian Language subject compulsory.
The 2024 edition of the BECE for School Candidates according to the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES), will be administered by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from July 8, 2024, to July 12, 2024.
The Service in a statement indicated the West African Examinations Council will provide detailed information regarding the registration of candidates for the examinations to the heads of the schools in the coming weeks.
It has directed Regional Directors of Education to share the BECE information with the Metro/District/Municipal Directors of Education for onward communication to all heads of various basic schools in their region.