Explain why 200 BECE candidates failed to write exams - Minority to Education Minister

The Minority Spokesperson on Education, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe has hinted at an inquisition between the Parliamentary Education Committee, and the Minister for Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh.

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe's statement follows the inability of some 200 BECE candidates in the Bunkpurugu district in the Northern Region to write their English and RME papers, due to a change of venue.

The incident, which was no fault of the students have now left them stranded as they were unable to complete their basic school education, and now have their next educational steps in limbo.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) have offered no alternative for the students to write their papers in February 2018.

However, speaking to Accra-based Citi FM, the Minority spokesperson stated that the time of the mishap regarding the examination, there were no doubts that the students would be given the opportunity to rewrite their exams.

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe stated that however it is the responsibility of the Education Ministry to prompt WAEC to prepare a new examination for these stranded students.

He said it seemed the Education Minister was not concerned about the unfortunate situation of these students.

Mr. Nortsu-Kotoe said the committee will therefore meet to discuss the issue, and then invite the Education minister to brief them on why a resolution to help the students write their exams to keep up with their colleagues has not been made.

Meanwhile, the Ghana National Associate of Teachers and the National Association of Graduate teachers have lambasted the Education Ministry and WAEC for failing to offer solutions to the stranded BECE candidates.

According to a Citi FM report, the two organizations have criticized the ministry for failing to ensure that WAEC organizes another exam for the candidates. They demanded that the Ghana Education Service takeover the examination process, if WAEC fails to do so.