Candidates participating in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will now be assessed in only five subjects, a reduction from the previous nine.
This announcement was made by the Director for Schools and Instructions at the Ghana Education Service, Prince Charles Agyemang-Duah, during a seminar in Accra.
In the recent BECE, candidates were examined on nine subjects, including Mathematics, English Language, Social Studies, Integrated Science, Information and Communication Technology, Basic Design and Technology, Religious and Moral Education, Ghanaian Language and Culture, and French.
However, Mr. Agyemang-Duah, speaking to MX24 News on the sidelines of a seminar organized by the Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS) in Accra, emphasized that the Ghana Education Service, following thorough consultations with key stakeholders, including the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), recognized that the number of subjects taught at the basic level was excessive, with some being repetitive.
He highlighted that the reform also entails eliminating “Our World Our People” (OWOP), which covers similar topics as Social Studies.
“Learning shouldn’t feel like a punishment for children; it has to be more meaningful and productive,” he stated.
According to Mr. Agyemang-Duah, the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination will assess students in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Integrated Science, a Ghanaian language, and a fifth subject referred to as general knowledge.
In this new category, candidates will be expected to demonstrate mastery of concepts from other subjects such as ICT, Social Studies, and Religious and Moral Education.
He emphasized that this reform is part of ongoing efforts to alleviate the learning burden on students.
