Deputy Education Minister-designate, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has called for a national dialogue to review the assessment methods used in junior and senior high school final examinations.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Dr. Apaak highlighted the delays in releasing examination results as a major challenge that requires urgent attention.
“Timely release of results is critical for smooth transitions in our education system. It allows students to progress to the next level without unnecessary delays,” he stated.
Dr. Apaak, who is also the MP for Builsa South in the Upper East Region, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s examination and grading system to ensure fairness, efficiency, and reliability.
“Whilst I am not in a position to make policy decisions, should my Minister seek my opinion, I would suggest a national dialogue on our assessment methods. This would help us understand the factors affecting the system and find lasting solutions,” he explained.
Addressing concerns over examination malpractices, Dr. Apaak suggested that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) be better resourced to independently recruit and deploy its own invigilators.
“One of the suggestions I would make is for us to properly resource WAEC, so it can recruit and deploy its own invigilators. Additionally, we should consider serializing exam questions, so that even in the same room, students answer different sets of questions. This would make it difficult for exam room collusion to thrive,” he proposed.
He further revealed that he had previously filed a motion in the 8th Parliament calling for a bipartisan committee to investigate global examination practices and malpractice issues in Ghana.
Beyond examination reforms, Dr. Apaak reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare, particularly in the area of transportation, noting that many teachers, especially in rural areas, struggle with transportation, leading to lateness and absenteeism.
“A teacher is perhaps the most important variable when it comes to education. All of us gathered here are who we are because of a teacher,” he emphasized.
To address this challenge, Dr. Apaak announced that the government plans to support teachers in acquiring vehicles to help them perform their duties efficiently, noting “Transportation clearly enhances the work of teachers. As a rural MP, I can relate to this issue. I know that the NDC has a manifesto proposal to help teachers own vehicles, and I hope and pray that we work with President Mahama to implement this policy for the benefit of all.”
Dr. Apaak also advocated for increased investment in teacher training and professional development, arguing that teachers should be given more opportunities to upgrade their skills, remarking “Since we are living in a world that is evolving, it is only proper that we support teachers to upgrade themselves. If I had my own pot of resources, I would pay teachers more than any other group of professionals. That is my personal opinion.”
With exam malpractices and teacher welfare emerging as critical issues in Ghana’s education sector, Dr. Apaak’s call for reforms and improved support systems has sparked discussions on the need for bold policy interventions to enhance learning outcomes and strengthen the education system.
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