JUSTICE LUMOR (EDUCATIONIST)
Our actions are influenced by our thoughts based on the way we were taught and this will reflect in the young ones we prepare today.
Couple of days ago, l read and heard Dr. Prince Armarh, NACCA reconfirming the proposal for the cancellation of BECE but l strongly disagreed with him. The question is ‘do we need CANCELLATION OR REVIEW of conducting eexternal examination at all levels’?
Referring to Dzobo reform 1987 that brought about the need for BECE, there was a need to modify our programs of study and some directives were taken from Phelps Stokes report, 1923 which gave an idea on vocational and technical programs to be enrolled as a developing country as this will helped the youth be well equipped after completion.
The newly introduced curriculum re-integrated subjects such as Agriculture science. How can such subject be integrated at the basic level and same subject should be studied at the second cycle as a program when the country is aiming at expanding primary production sector to help develop faster.
The integration of History, Geography in the new curriculum is rather promoting the choice of General Arts as a program of study at the second cycle institutions. Comparing the program of choice at the JHS level to be studied at the second cycle, Agricultural science, Technical and Vocational continue to dwindle over the years. The is because the pupils prefer theory than practical and is based on recency of study.
The style of conducting BECE must be changed BU
T not cancellation of BECE. The trend of conducting BECE rather promotes pupils theoretical learning base on repetition of questions. Pupils prefer to CHEW and Pour without absorbing any practical skill. There should be other external forms of assessing pupils at stage six before they enter JHS.
Am of the view that, the cancellation of BECE is misplaced priority if NOT change of name of the examination.
We should therefore take a second look at the cancellation of BECE before eradicating it from the system.
Justice LUMOR
Educationist
Lumorj@yahoo.com
