WAEC extends BECE written days from 5 amid new ‘SB’ curriculum

Slated for June this year, the 34th edition of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to be based on the Standards-based curriculum will be written for six (6) days instead of the usual five (5) days.

Amid the introduction of the new curriculum, final-year Junior High School (JHS) students to sit for the national examination will be examined on the new subjects thus Career Technology, Creative Art & Design, and Arabic.

Career Technology and Creative Art & Design have been extracted from the former Basic Design and Technology (BDT) curriculum. They will be mandatory for all Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates.

Arabic, on the other hand, will be an elective subject exclusively available to candidates attending Islamic basic schools.

In light of these curriculum adjustments, the 20224 edition of the examination for public and private Junior High School students to span six days commence on Monday, July 8, 2024, and end the following Monday, July 15, 2024.

The addition of the new subjects (Career Technology, Creative Art & Design, and Arabic) reflects ongoing efforts to enhance the educational curriculum and provide students with a broader range of learning opportunities.

It also underscores the commitment of educational authorities to adapt to evolving educational needs and ensure a comprehensive assessment of student’s knowledge and skills.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) ahead of the conduct of this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination and Basic Education Certificate Examinations has disclosed pre-examination procedures.

The procedures, the not-for-profit-making organization in a blog post sighted by Thisterm.com are to enlighten members of the public, particularly candidates preparing to sit for the International and national examinations.

Procedure 1

1. Development of teaching syllabus by the Ghana Education Service and Examinations syllabus by WAEC

2. Training of item writes

3. Commissioning of item writes/knowlagable persons/experts/pofessionals in the subject areas commissioned to set questions

Procedure 2

1. Trial testing of items

2. Moderation of items by expert

3. Compilation of papers by subject officers

4. Type setting, proof reading and editing

5. Printing of question papers

6. Accrediation and recognition of schools

Procedure 3

1. Registration of candidates (This one is done online. BECE School candidates are registered by District Directors of Education and WASSCE School candidates registered by Heads of School.

2. Centre arrangement for conduct of examination

3. Submission of Continous Assessment Scores (School examinations only)

Procedure 4

1. Briefing courses for Heads of school and examination officials

2. Sensitization programmes for schools/candidates

3. Packing of confidential materials