No pupil will be required to repeat a class because of their performance in the National Standardized Test (NST), Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has said.
Dr. Apaak gave the assurance while interacting with Primary Four pupils at Nahadatu Islamic Basic School in Ofaakor, Central Region, during a nationwide monitoring exercise. He also visited St. Mary’s Anglican Cluster of Schools in Akwale and Ofaakor Municipal Assembly Basic School.
The Deputy Minister was received in the Awutu Senya East Municipality by the Municipal Director of Education, Frank Etrue-Hayford, his management team and the heads of the schools.
Addressing the pupils, Dr. Apaak said the purpose of the National Standardized Test is to identify learners who need additional academic support rather than punish them for poor performance.
“Unlike the past, we are not going to say you should be repeated. Your teacher will identify those of you who need additional help, and then that additional help will be offered to you so that you will reach the level that has been set for Primary Four in terms of your curriculum,” he said.
He said the results would help teachers, the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education better understand pupils’ learning needs and provide targeted support.
“At the end of the day, what you are writing will be used to determine whether you are all okay or some of you need additional help,” he said.
Dr. Apaak said the assessment is designed to strengthen teaching and learning by measuring pupils’ progress against the expected standards for Primary Four.
“This exam is not about pass or fail. It is to help your teacher, to help us at GES and the ministry understand how well you are doing in terms of the expectations for your standard Primary Four,” he said.
He encouraged the pupils to remain calm and approach the examination with confidence.
“Don’t panic, take your time and answer the questions. I know your class teacher has prepared you well so you understand what to do,” he said.
Dr. Apaak also urged the pupils to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, expressing confidence that quality education would enable them to contribute to Ghana’s future development.
The National Standardized Test is administered by the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to assess pupils’ foundational literacy and numeracy skills and identify learning gaps for targeted interventions.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
