By Francis Kwabena Cofie, GNA
Akropong- Akuapem( E/R), May 1, GNA – Mr Sammi Awuku, Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem North, has donated 2,100 mathematical sets to 2,060 candidates writing this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in his constituency.
The donation was aimed at equipping all candidates sitting for the upcoming examination with the necessary tools to enable them to deliver their best.
The gesture forms part of the MP’s effort to boost success in education in the constituency while ensuring that equal opportunities exist for learners to facilitate their elevation on the academic ladder.
In addition to efforts to enhance the pass rate of candidates for the examination, the MP organized Mock Examination for all candidates and consulted an examination consultant to address candidates on best approach to answering examination questions.
The donation was made at this year’s Annual BECE Academic Seminar and Prayer Session instituted by the MP in collaboration with Akuapem North Educational Directorate and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Grace Congregation, Akropong – Akuapem in the Eastern Region.
Mr Awuku said a core rationale of the event, which was started three years ago, was to reinforce the spirituality aspect to inculcate in the candidates the mindset that with determination, hard work and above all the God factor, success would come their way.
He urged stakeholders to prioritize the occasion on the calendar for BECE candidates as long as he remains in office.
He said after the long periods of reading, learning and hard work, it was time to have a conversation with the word of God to seal the victory in advance.
The MP advised the candidates to desist from watching TV and playing games at this eleventh hour while committing to light studies.
He said his pride is to see a good majority of these learners climb the ladder to the Senior High School and further their studies to tertiary education.
He said though pass rate in previous years was about 50 per cent and above average, sustainable efforts would be made to improve current performance.
Addressing the issue of examination malpractice and its consequences, an educational consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Jyncafey Training Institute, MasterCard Foundation EdTech Fellowship – Cohort 3, Mr. Ernest Ato Bentil, disclosed that upon considerable research and experience with marking BECE scripts, most candidates have a challenge with the Paper One where they gamble with the options because they lack the critical thinking skills to help choose the right answer from the options.
He stressed that for a child to pass in the BECE, classes 4, 5 and 6 at the basic level were very crucial as knowledge acquired at this level formed the foundation for much of the things taught at the Junior High School(JHS).
He explained further that, basic education starts from class 1 to JHS which is nine years, with the first six years giving the child a firm foundation.
He bemoaned the situation where during examination, emphasis is mainly on the last three years of the nine years, creating knowledge gap in the minds of learners.
Outlining other causative factors of low performance in the examination by BECE candidates, he also attributed the situation to teachers not perusing the Chief Examiner’s report to keep them informed of the pattern of mistakes candidates make.
He cited other factors as teachers rushing to complete syllabus and improper shading habits of candidates.
The examination consultant recommended more professional training for teachers to update their knowledge on relevant teaching methods, adding that school authorities must stress on discipline.
He further said policy- makers, school authorities and teachers should resort to blended learning of AI technology and books to complement each other in achieving productive outcomes.
Rev.Daniel Bondzie, Grace Congregation, Akropong urged the candidates to pray for the favor of God each day during the examination adding that, they cannot make it without God.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade