Education stakeholders are being urged to reconsider the structure of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) following concerns that the current timetable places excessive pressure on candidates.
A lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, has described as “cruel” the practice of making students sit for about 10 subjects within a five-day period.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme, he said he has advocated for a review of the examination structure for the past 15 years, arguing that the current system does not adequately consider the wellbeing of candidates.
According to him, despite persistent calls for reform, some authorities and stakeholders continue to defend the status quo, insisting that the existing format should be maintained.
Dr. Otchere-Ankrah contrasted the BECE timetable with practices at the tertiary level, noting that universities typically allow up to three weeks for students to complete six or seven papers. He questioned why younger students are required to endure a far more compressed schedule.
He proposed that the BECE could be spread over two weeks instead of five days, stressing that such a change would not affect the marking period or delay the release of results.
“It will not change how long it takes to mark the papers, but it will reduce the pressure on the students,” he indicated, adding that the current approach is inconsiderate to young learners.
The academic also raised concerns about the potential impact of the tight schedule on overall student performance, suggesting that fatigue and stress could undermine candidates’ ability to perform at their best.
His comments add to ongoing discussions about education reforms in Ghana, particularly around assessment methods and student welfare at the basic level.
