COVID-19: ”We are not sure how and when to conduct 2020 BECE ” – GES

15th April 2020

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has said that it is not sure how and when the 2020 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) shall be conducted.

Speaking on Adom Tv, a multimedia television station in Accra on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Kwesi Opoku Amankwa said the GES is unsure about how and when it is going to organise the annual Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

This he attributed to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 ) Pandemic that has kept the globe on its toes with Ghana, not an exception.

Check This Out: Call students back to Campus for Lessons while observing Social Distancing Protocol – TTAG to NCTE

Prof Amankwa indicated the pandemic has hindered a lot of activities they were to undertake prior to the BECE, adding that he could not at the moment give a specific time frame within which the BECE will be conducted.

WASSCE Postponed Indefinitely

Earlier, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) postponed the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates Indefinitely over Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In an inter-office memorandum released by the Chairman of the Examination Council to member countries on Friday, March 20, 2020, WAEC said it has suspended the Time Table for the 2020 WASSCE.

According to the Council, their decision was as a result of the negative impact of the novel and deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the protocols being put in place by governments of member countries, which have serious implications on the conduct of the 2020 examination.

Virtual Learning

The Director-General said there has been ongoing television programs channelled to champion academic excellence for the Senior High School Students.

Check This Out: Online Lessons should be reconsidered and continued after fighting COVID-19 Pandemic – Teacher Trainee

He indicated, that the Basic School students are also benefiting from such learning opportunities on some notable television stations across the country.

He added, that there has been an online platform known as the icampusgh.com which can be accessed by SHS students by imputing their BECE index numbers with their year of completion to gain access.

The online learning platform according to the Director-General has over 600 videos covering all the ten subjects for SHS students to choose from and study.

Check This Out: COVID-19: Provide us with dedicated TV Channel for Lessons – Teacher Trainees to Gov’t

Teachers’ Support

Prof. Kwesi Opoku Amankwa noted that the GES has assigned over 40 teachers to assist and interact with students while they learn on the online, television and radio platforms.

He explained that the teachers are expected to answer questions raised by students while teaching and learning is ongoing, particularly on the online site.

TV Stations’ Support

The Director-General hinted, that government is in the process of issuing a directive instructing all TV stations in the country to air Senior High Schools-related courses.

He added, that the directive is to ensure that students who are unable to gain access to educational content online due to limited or no access to the internet will do so on the various TV channels so as not to be disadvantaged.

SHS Re-opening Rumors

Speaking on the rumours surrounding the reopening date foe SHS students,Mr Opoku Amankwa denied claims that a reopening date for the various Senior High Schools (SHS) had been set for September this year.

He stated that the video, circulating on social media had been doctored and that no date had yet been set for the reopening of senior high schools in the country.

Source: EducationGhana.net