Education stakeholders are increasingly concerned about the declining pass rates in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). If urgent action is not taken, the situation could worsen beyond recovery.
Speaking on the Day Break Upper East Show with Gerard Asagi, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), Richard Akumbase, called for immediate intervention.
He stressed the need for a critical review of recent exam results, emphasizing that a strong foundation in basic education is essential. According to him, some BECE pass rates have fallen below 30%, a situation he described as deeply concerning. He noted that some students entering senior high school struggle with basic literacy, unable to write their names or spell even simple words.
His concerns are backed by a recent national education assessment study. The Access to Quality of Basic and Secondary Education in Ghana 2000-2023 report by the Ghana Statistical Service and Ghana Education Service highlights a steady decline in BECE pass rates in the Upper East Region.
The study, covering performance trends from 2002 to 2021, reveals significant drops across core subjects. Core English pass rates, which stood at 54.8% in the 2002/03 academic year, peaked at 89.1% in 2004/05 but dropped to 40.1% in 2010/11 and further declined to 48.6% by 2020/21.
Mathematics saw similar fluctuations, with a pass rate of 58.3% in 2002/03, rising to 75.0% in 2007/08, but falling sharply to 42.8% in 2008/09 and dropping to a low of 37.5% in 2010/11. Between 2015/16 and 2020/21, the average pass rate for Mathematics stood at 53.9%.
Science performance also declined over the years, starting at 58.2% in 2002/03, peaking at 75.7% in 2007/08, but dropping to 50.7% by 2020/21. Social Studies followed a similar pattern, with pass rates falling from 59.2% in 2002/03 to 42.9% in 2020/21.
While Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Bono regions consistently record higher pass rates, the Upper East, along with the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions, continues to lag behind.
The report attributes these disparities to challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, poverty, and gender inequality. It stresses the need for targeted, data-driven policies to improve educational outcomes and align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education.
Mr. Akumbase identified poor supervision in public pre-tertiary schools as a key factor contributing to the declining performance. He also pointed out weaknesses in teaching methods, arguing that many teachers fail to explain the relevance of subjects to students’ daily lives.
He believes that education should not just be about memorizing concepts but about practical application.
Using mathematics as an example, he argued that students should be taught how the subject applies to real-life situations rather than just solving equations. He stressed that the same approach should apply to English, urging educators to focus on how language skills can help students navigate life beyond school.
For him, a curriculum review is necessary to ensure that students see the direct impact of what they learn. He called for a shift in the way subjects are taught, making them more practical and relevant to students’ futures.
Without such reforms, he warned, the country risks producing students who pass through the education system without acquiring the skills needed for personal and national development.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
