By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa (UW/R), Dec. 25, GNA – The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has engaged managers of private basic schools in the Wa Municipality on a proposed common “super mock” examination for candidates preparing for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The engagement followed a recent inter-school quiz competition organised for BECE candidates in private schools in the municipality and formed part of broader efforts to improve academic performance among private schools.
Speaking at the meeting in Wa, Mr Mumuni Sulemana, the Wa Municipal Chairperson of GNAPS, said the initiative was aimed at helping private schools collectively identify the strengths and weaknesses of their final-year pupils ahead of the BECE.
He emphasised that education remained the foundation of national development and noted that private schools in the municipality were committed to charting a clear path toward improved academic outcomes through a common assessment framework.
“Our ultimate focus is the BECE. We want to identify the weaknesses and determine how best, as an association, we can strengthen them so our candidates can excel and gain admission into good schools,” he explained.
Mr Sulemana said the proposed examination would cover all subjects and be conducted under conditions similar to those of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), including the use of external invigilators, police supervision and examination centres located outside candidates’ own schools.
He added that scripts would be moderated by qualified examiners, who would also produce reports to guide remedial teaching across member schools.
Mr Samuel Dwomoh, Director of Tender Care School in Wa, described the initiative as bold and timely, commending the municipal executives of GNAPS for their proactive leadership.
He noted that the recent quiz competition organised by the association was well coordinated and beneficial, and expressed confidence that the proposed common mock examination would better prepare candidates both psychologically and academically for the BECE.
Mr Dwomoh, who is also the National Organiser of GNAPS, welcomed recent government policy initiatives on school placement, particularly the reduction of admission quota for public schools from 30 per cent to 15 per cent, describing it as a positive development.
However, he appealed for further engagement to address challenges such as the rising BECE registration fees for private school candidates, which he said had increased from about GH¢280 to GH¢350.
Mr Alhassan Umar, Proprietor of Wa International School, stressed that the proposed common mock examination was not intended to create competition among schools but to promote collective growth.
He explained that examiner reports from the exercise would help schools identify learning gaps early and take corrective measures before the final examinations, thereby improving overall performance.
Mr Umar appealed to parents to support the initiative, noting that the long-term academic benefits for their children far outweighed any associated costs.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Audrey Dekalu