The Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has called for a major overhaul of Ghana’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), describing the current structure as burdensome for learners.
According to him, requiring students to sit for 10 subjects over a five-day period for senior high school placement amounts to “torture” for candidates and does not conform with modern assessment practices.
In a Facebook post n May 7, 2026, Kofi Asare proposed that the examination should be reduced to four core subjects; Mathematics, English Language, Science and a General Paper arguing that this would ease pressure on students while still providing a fair basis for placement into senior high schools.
“Piling 10 subjects over a five-day high-stakes BECE just for school placement is torture on learners. Reduce to 4 subjects: Math, English, Science & General Paper,” he stated.
He further noted that many countries now rely on aptitude tests and continuous assessment systems rather than piled examination to determine student’s next academic progression.
“Others even use aptitude test plus continued assessment. This is 2026, not 1996,” he stressed, suggesting that Ghana’s education assessment system must evolve to reflect current educational standards.
The EduWatch Executive Secretary has consistently advocated reforms within Ghana’s education sector, particularly on issues relating to assessment, examination malpractices, equity and learning outcomes.
His comments come amid the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination, during which more than 10 students and invigilators have reportedly been arrested over examination malpractice.
The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council, is expected to run until May 11, with 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools participating.
