The Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr Eric Nkansah, has firmly stated that the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will not be cancelled, putting an end to circulating rumors. Addressing concerns during a forum organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on the BECE grading system, Dr Nkansah reassured attendees that the BECE will continue, including for Junior High School Two students.
The forum, titled ‘The Fundamentals of the BECE Grading System,’ brought together representatives from various education bodies, such as the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the Ghana National Association of Private Schools, GES, and the Ministry of Education. Its aim was to provide clarity on the current BECE grading system and address any performance-related issues.
Dr Nkansah emphasized that the GES is committed to resolving all challenges associated with the BECE grading system. To shed light on the system, Mr Felix Akuffo-Badoo, a former Head of the Test Administration Division at WAEC, explained that Ghana adopted the Standard Nine (Stanine) grading system for examinations. The Stanine system, widely regarded as effective for certification and selection during the early years of education reforms, ensures that scores are normally distributed and uniform across years.
While the Stanine system offers advantages such as ease of computation, no human intervention, and quick comprehension of test scores within a large applicant pool, it does not allow for direct comparison of results across years. It also falls short in rewarding teachers and learners for improved performance. Mr Akuffo-Badoo urged education stakeholders to revisit recommendations from various Education Review Committees to address these issues. These recommendations include training programs for teachers on Continuous Assessment Score Systems and the adoption of a criterion referencing grading system that reflects performance variations from year to year.
In conclusion, Dr Nkansah’s affirmation that the BECE will proceed as scheduled brings reassurance to final year pupils and stakeholders. The insights provided during the forum highlight the importance of addressing the challenges associated with the BECE grading system and considering alternative approaches that account for individual performance growth.
