The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has expressed its concern and alarm over the West Africa Examination Council’s (WAEC) recent declarations about the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which is set to take place on July 8, 2024.
The GNECC pointed out that, according to WAEC records, the government has an outstanding debt of GH₵698,500, which is the remaining amount needed to settle the payment for the 2023 BECE exams.
The Coalition also revealed that out of the total amount of GH₵95,837,306 required to conduct the 2024 examination, only GH₵2.28 million has been released so far, leaving a significant shortfall.
“The BECE is not only vital for assessing students’ academic progress but also for determining their placement in senior high schools. Any disruption to this examination could have far-reaching consequences for the educational and future career prospects of these young learners”.
Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC)
Moreover, the GNECC expressed dismay that these pressing issues are only being brought to light with merely three weeks left before the commencement of the BECE, a situation that could have been avoided with earlier action and better planning
The GNECC warned that this issue not only threatens to disrupt the smooth conduct of the examinations but also has the potential to undermine the confidence and focus of the students preparing to take the exams, thereby jeopardizing their academic well-being and future prospects.
Accordingly, the GNECC vehemently calls on the government to take swift and decisive action to bridge the funding gap, ensuring the seamless conduct of the examinations and the academic progress of the students.
The GNECC explicitly urged the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and all relevant stakeholders to treat with utmost priority the release of the requisite funds to WAEC, ensuring that the necessary payment is made in full before the end of next week, thereby guaranteeing the uninterrupted conduct of the BECE as scheduled.
GNECC Demands Sustainable Funding Mechanism Amid Exam Chaos
Furthermore, the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition stated that it is keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s scenario, where WAEC failed to settle the payments of examiners, invigilators, and other essential service providers for six months after the BECE examination, causing undue hardship and distress to these critical stakeholders.
The Coalition emphasized that these issues not only undermine the credibility and integrity of the examinations but also have far-reaching implications, casting a shadow of doubt over the reliability and validity of future examinations, and potentially eroding the trust and confidence of stakeholders in the entire education system.
“GNECC is also urging the government to implement a Sustainable Funding Mechanism to prevent a recurrence of such situations. While this matter is being addressed, we also appeal to WAEC to ensure that they have put in place stringent measures to prevent yet another potential leakage of exam questions as it happened last year”.
Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC)
The GNECC reaffirmed its unwavering dedication to championing the interests and well-being of Ghanaian students, steadfastly advocating for their rights and welfare in pursuit of a quality education system that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and future success
The GNECC vowed to maintain vigilant scrutiny over this situation, engaging in sustained dialogue with all pertinent stakeholders to secure a swift and equitable resolution that prioritizes the educational well-being and academic success of Ghana’s children, safeguarding their future and the nation’s prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is set to take place from Monday, July 8, to Monday, July 15, 2024, at all examination centers nationwide.
The government has faced intense scrutiny and widespread criticism from advocacy groups and the Minority in Parliament for its glaring failure to disburse funds to WAEC for the conduct of the BECE, sparking concerns about the examination’s viability and the future of Ghana’s education system.
