Last week, this Paper commented on cheating at examinations by both students and school officials. This week we would like to expand our concerns and raise further issues, namely non-payment by Government to the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) for rendered services, textbooks and furniture inadequacy or lack thereof and the state of the country’s entire education system.
Some weeks past, the Public Affairs Head of the WAEC hinted at the possibility of a delay in the release of the results of this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, should the Government fail to pay its debts to the WAEC, albeit according to the official the Council had received about 65 percent of what was owed. Although the government gave timely assurances regarding the debt settlement, yet we think that more proactive measures are needed in addressing this perennial delay in statutory debt payments.
It is not far-fetched to assume that delayed payments of examinations fees by governments have contributed to the poor quality of invigilation and supervision, thus, undermining examination integrity. It is crucial that we learn to prioritize spending, where necessary, particularly when confronted with urgent and compelling needs of teaching and learning in educational institutions. Is it not a shame to boast of students with distinction in physics and chemistry, but who know next to nothing on what chemical reaction or energy conversion is, all the consequences of examination fraud? We also have cases where some University Students are unable to write good English.
We have an unapologetic duty, as parents and officials to do all it takes to protect the now young students as future adults from regretting of past misdeeds. We must ensure that they learn at school and prepare well to write examinations on their own intellectual strength, without external and often crime-tainted help. Examinations are nothing but a feedback mechanism of measuring teaching adequacy and input by teachers, as well as teaching outcomes by pupils and students. Examinations are also a feedforward barometer of assessing students’ academic capabilities for advanced learning. Helping students to cheat in examinations and obtain undeserved grades, as argued last week, does irreparable damage to the very foundations of our education system.
Another issue of concern to this paper is why for more than four years textbooks are said not to have been supplied at some levels of education. Aside from this, many schools lack basic leaning logistics and facilities like chairs and tables. While commending the government on its free education policy for basic and secondary level schools we, as well as other well-meaning Ghanaians and education experts, have observed that there are many challenges militating against its successful implementation. The ongoing political campaign promises attest to this.
It is a big shame that Ghana does not come near the 10 countries in Africa with the best education system. We fall behind countries like Namibia, Botswana, Cape Verde, Kenya and Seychelles. While many countries on the Continent have made remarkable progress in enhancing their education system, we unfortunately are either marking time or retrogressing. These top 10 African countries leading the way with exceptional education systems do not only prioritize educational access but also invest in quality, innovation and inclusivity, and set measurable benchmarks. For all we know, their education authorities do not encourage examination cheating, as we here do.
We have equally observed that there are many challenges militating against the successful implementation of the Free Educative Programme. We need to have a national dialogue on our education system, if only to find effective, efficient and sustainable solutions to this very important issue: How come as a country we are losing it, that education is the bedrock of development; that proper teaching and learning are true pillars and guarantee of progress shaping the future of many nations and their citizens! We, therefore, have to take a very hard, objective look at what is wrong with us as a people.
We have often stated, or implied, in this column that what this country needs to make it or stay afloat this competitive, fast-growing world is a ruthless determination for quality leadership, game-changing admission of past, bad politics and a stronger sense of patriotism. Our piecemeal solutions to deep-seated problems are often to blame, as in our education system. We dare say some of the above or their cumulative effects are what have bedeviled our current education system.
Obviously, our best has not been enough to take us out of gigantic national challenges. This is precisely because good outcomes do not happen by chance. They take a strong sense of patriotism, a culture of public probity, a set of politicians and policy makers who recognize problems for what they are, a populace with passion for truth and accountability and a nation of law enforcement. Cheating, corruption, fraud and lies cannot continue to be our way of life.
