The Ministry of Education (MoE) has assured students, parents, guardians, and the general public that the quality of education and examinations at all levels, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was not and will not be compromised.
To that end, the Ministry has asked all stakeholders to ignore the comments made by former President John Dramani Mahama regarding the results of the 2023 WASSCE.
The Ministyry said Mr Mahama’s comment is a “calculated attempt to downplay the great strides made by the Ministry in improving learning outcomes in the country.”
The statement of the MoE further highlighted the remarkable progress in WASSCE results, citing a substantial improvement from a 28.7 percent score (A1-C6) in Integrated Science in 2015 to an impressive 66.80 percent achieved by 2023 WASSCE candidates under President Nana Akuffo Addo.
“We have made monumental progress, and over the past few years, WAEC has instituted several measures to curb exam malpractices during the BECE and WASSCE test administration,” the Ministry asserted. They emphasized the strict supervision measures implemented by WAEC in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, ensuring the integrity of the examinations.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to assure our students, parents, guardians, and the general public that the quality of education and examinations at all levels, including the WASSCE, was not and will not be compromised,” the statement concluded.
The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the recent exercise undertaken by the students was characterised with malpractices and has said the ramifications will dawn on the nation in future.
During his visit to the Mfantseman constituency as part of his ‘Building Ghana Tour’ in the Central region, the former President alleged that some invigilators instead of ensuring candidates did independent work, aided students in answering the questions.
His cheating allegations follow a declaration by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, that, the 2023 WASSCE results is the best the nation has recorded since 2015.
“In many places, they let the children cheat. You go to places and the teachers are conniving with the students to cheat. The effect will be seen later,” John Mahama averred.
He said the implication of the development will hit the nation sooner or later.
“You certify these children saying they are of this standard either the BECE or SSCE, and that child will use that certificate, go abroad to a school and they will find out that your qualification is not up to the standard you say it is,” he indicated.
John Mahama’s Building Ghana Tour was set to solicit ideas from professional bodies and the general public to beef up the NDC’s People’s Manifesto for election 2024.
With teachers featuring most in all six regions toured so far, those at the Mfantseman constituency lamented the lack of textbooks after government changed the curriculum years ago.
“We are worried about the lack of text books. You do a new curriculum and fail to supply textbook, I wonder what kind of government this is. Our education system is in shambles,” he added.
Apart from reviewing the Free SHS policy in its first 100 days, the next NDC government has also promised to invest in housing scheme for teachers.