The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) has appealed to parents and education stakeholders to exercise restraint in their criticism of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) following the release of this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Rather than making unverified allegations, GNAT is encouraging anyone with concerns about the results to formally petition WAEC for clarification.
Speaking exclusively to Labour Affairs Correspondent Daniel Opoku in Accra on August 5, GNAT’s General Secretary, Thomas Tanko Musah, said WAEC should provide a detailed explanation of the processes used in arriving at the results.
“For us to have a better understanding of the results, I think WAEC will have to explain the processes they normally go through, or the processes that they went through in arriving at this particular conclusion.”
Mr. Musah urged dissatisfied candidates, parents and stakeholders to channel their concerns through the appropriate procedures instead of engaging in public accusations.
“What I will say is that all those who are not happy, let us calm down. Our concerns can be sent to WAEC and let WAEC address them.”
He also cautioned against treating examination results as a life-or-death matter, warning that excessive pressure on candidates could have serious psychological consequences.
“Examination is gradually becoming like a do-or-die affair, and I think that we must be careful. Look, if these things are not managed, these children might not be able to manage their emotions. This can even lead to some of them committing suicide, some of them having health complications and all that.”
Mr. Musah therefore appealed to parents, education stakeholders and commentators to be measured in their reactions whenever examination results are released.
“So, as parents, stakeholders, commentators and all the people within this particular space, when the results come, let us be measured.”
He further observed that in some instances, adults appear to be more anxious than the candidates themselves, a situation he said could negatively affect the emotional well-being of children.
“Some people are even more anxious, more aggressive than the children. When the children see you behaving in that way, that kind of energy you are unleashing will affect the child negatively. So, we have to be measured in our pronouncements,” he advised.
By Daniel Opoku
