Regional News of Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Source: GNA

Most BECE Candidates in Upper East Region not writing Ghanaian Language

Bolgatanga, April 22, GNA - Almost all candidates of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), in the Upper East Region would not write a paper in Ghanaian Language, even though it is prescribed by the West Africa Examination Council. It is only candidates in the Kasena-Nankana District of the region who would take an examin ation in "Kasim" language, as an option in Ghanaian Languages. These were disclosed to GNA by the Regional Director of Education, Mr. Fabian Belieb after he and the Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo visited some BECE examination centres in Bolgatanga. He said plans were far advanced by the Regional Education Directorate to conduct a survey and select the most common Ghanaian language being spoken in the area to be taught in schools as an examinable subject.

Mr. Belieb said that the "Gurine" Language was being considered for the exercise because it was widely spoken in the region. He said "Gurine" language was being read as a course at the University of Education, Wenneba, and appealed to qualified people to assist in teaching the language.

Mr. Belieb urged supervisors at the examination centres to constantly remind candidates of the examination instructions and guidelines, including the need for candidates to write their full names and index numbers on answer sheets and to shade answers with pencils and not pens among others. Mr. Woyongo asked the candidates to take the examination seriously and eschew examination malpractices that could lead to the cancellation of their results. 22 April 09