Following the recent reported leak of WASSCE examination papers, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), has called for a return to the days where headteachers had better control over the examination process.
The union says headteachers of the various senior high schools should be the lead supervisors in the circulation and distribution of examination papers.
Speaking to Citi News, the General Secretary of GNAT, David Ofori Acheampong, explained that the current distribution system is problematic and has failed to secure the integrity of exam questions and hence the need for a reform.
He recounted the days when examination papers were delivered to headteachers and urged authorities to consider restoring the system.
“If over the years we changed it and now we are having problems, why don’t we go back to the old regime and get things done. After all, what is important is to protect the integrity of the examination.”
Mr. Acheampong also argued that a return to the previous system would make it easier to trace leaks.
According to him, “If we cannot hold people to their actions based on the current arrangement, why don’t we go back to the previous one where we could hold headmasters directly responsible for leakages in their respective schools?”
Some teacher unions like NAGRAT have suggested the scrapping of the WASSCE system so Ghana can hold its own exams supervised by an independent body.
A policy and research Think Tank, VIAM Africa Centre for Education and Social Policy, which has called for heads to roll at WAEC, has also suggested the setting up of an alternative independent exam body which is the case in Nigeria to break WAEC’s monopoly, and ultimately stimulate competition and quality.
Meanwhile the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has served notice the leaked papers will not be cancelled as has been done in previous years.
A statement signed by Agnes Teye-Cudjoe, WAEC’s Deputy Director of Public Affairs said “the papers already written will not be cancelled. She said the remaining papers will be taken as scheduled and investigations will continue and persons found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned.”
Source: citifmonline.com
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