WAEC slowing Ghana’s education system development – GNACOPS

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) says the West African Examinations Council’s inability to embrace innovation and creativity in its assessment methods hinders the development of Ghana’s educational systems.

In a blog post sighted Thisterm.com, the National Executive Director of GNACOPS, Enoch Kwasi Gyetuah said the organization’s insistence on traditional pen and paper tests is not only outdated but also a waste of resources.

“The amount spent on conducting one outdated assessment could be used to establish technological systems that assess multiple modern, verifiable learning outcomes.

WAEC’s monopoly status has led to complacency, causing the organization to lag behind in adopting innovative assessment methods. This stagnation undermines the country’s efforts to develop its educational systems.

It is time to reassess the West African Examinations Council’s effectiveness and consider whether its continued dominance is in the best interest of the country’s educational progress.

By clinging to outdated methods, WAEC is hindering the development of our educational systems. We urge the organization to embrace innovation and creativity in its assessment methods, aligning with 21st-century education goals,” he stated.

Gyetuah therefore has urged the Ministry of Education and Parliament to instruct WAEC to embrace innovative assessment methods, rather than perpetuating outdated practices saying “As a nation, we cannot afford to waste resources on obsolete assessment methods.”

The GNACOPS Director’s comment comes after the not-for-profit-making organization (WAEC) threatened to cancel the conduct of the 2024 edition of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) due to financial challenges.

Slated to be administered from July 8, 2024, to July 15, 2024, the Head of Public Affairs for WAEC, John Kapi says the government has released GH¢47.125 million out of the GH¢90 million owed his outfit to conduct the 2024 BECE.

Meanwhile, Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh announced in Parliament on Friday, June 21, 2024, that the government through the Ministry of Finance has released GH¢80 million to the West African Examinations Council.

But a spokesman for the not-for-profit-making organization reacting to the Majority Chief Whip’s claim said his outfit has received only GH¢47.125 million from the government contrary to the GH¢80 million announced in Parliament.

Even with that, the Head of Public Affairs – WAEC, John Kapi said it has been processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), and that it was yet to be translated into real cash.