The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has clarified that it has no authority to change the grading system used for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates. Director of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, stated that the decision rests “solely” with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
His comments come in the wake of mounting criticism from some parents and members of the public who have raised concerns about the long-standing Stanine grading system. Critics argue that the format, which has been in use since 1990, is not a fair or accurate way to grade candidates.
Mr. Kapi explained in a recent interview that while it is understandable for the public to seek clarity from WAEC, the responsibility for a final decision on the matter lies with a different body. He stressed that a change in the grading system would have to be initiated by the Ghana Education Service, which is the entity responsible for the country’s educational policy.
“It is not out of place for people to want to seek reference… but then for a final decision to be taken… they have to address their concerns to the Ghana Education Service – the decision should come from the Ghana Education Service and not from WAEC”
John Kapi, Director of Public Affairs at WAEC
Mr. Kapi further elaborated on the roles of the two bodies, stating that the GES is responsible for all decisions concerning the BECE. He explained that while WAEC may introduce some changes in certain situations, it would only be in collaboration with the GES.
He emphasized that as a council, WAEC cannot independently decide to change the grading system. This is because once the results are ready, the examination body hands everything over to the GES. The GES then takes over the “process of school placement and further management of the results.”
Defending the Stanine System
In addition to clarifying the chain of command, Mr. Kapi also used the opportunity to dismiss public perceptions about the Stanine grading system.
He insisted that the notion that the system does not accurately reflect a candidate’s actual performance is “entirely untrue.” He explained that the system is a norm-referenced approach. It grades a candidate’s performance based on a comparison with other people within their own cohort of students who are studying the same thing and taking the same exam.
This specific method of grading fixes the share of students in each grade. This differs from other systems that use absolute score thresholds. Under the Stanine system, only a predetermined percentage of candidates can get each grade.
For instance, roughly 4% of candidates earn a Grade 1, which is the top stanine. This is followed by about 7% for Grade 2, 12% for Grade 3, and so on. At the other end of the spectrum, only about 4% of candidates are expected to get the lowest grade, Grade 9.
Mr. Kapi said the system is not a new or recently implemented one, and noted that it was chosen by the Ghana Education Service, which has the sole authority to decide whether or not to continue using it. Despite the public agitations, Mr. Kapi stated that the Stanine grading system serves specific, crucial functions within Ghana’s educational system.
He stated that it is not a decision by WAEC to “stick to it even though it is unpopular.”
“It is for certification, as well as for selection and for placement, so it has a number of functions it performs and the GES officials think it is the one that is suitable for the BECE that is why they have adapted it”
John Kapi, Director of Public Affairs at WAEC
The public discourse surrounding the grading system highlights the ongoing concerns of parents and students in a highly competitive educational environment. The WAEC’s clarification places the ball firmly in the court of the GES, which ultimately holds the key to any potential change.
The final decision rests with the government, under the presidency of John Dramani Mahama, to determine if the long-standing system should be reviewed in response to public demand.
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