Ghana is hosting the 33rd Annual Conference of the Association of Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA), which brings participants from all over Africa and other parts of the world to deliberate on assessment of examinations.

The five-day conference being hosted by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), Ghana office, is on the theme: “Quality Assurance in Educational Assessment in an era of Rapid Change.”

Examiners and experts from all WAEC countries in West Africa, namely, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and the Gambia are participating in the conference, which opened in Accra on Monday.

Also more than 300 experts in education and examinations, as well as partners from UK, US, France, Japan, and Switzerland are attending the conference, which would enable participants to discuss and exchange experiences in examination assessment.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Minister of Education said the place of assessment in education system is very vital and the one way of tracking progress is to assess outcomes, therefore, the need for such dialogue to evaluate how countries are faring in ensuring quality assurance in education.

She said there is also the need for the intensification of the dialogue on the implications of globalisation on standards in education against the background of difference in development, cultures and values.

She said: “The fact, however, remains that our societies are socio-culturally diverse so our assessments should be inclusive of all learners, irrespective of their situation or the cost involved in examining them.

“Your quality assurance systems should therefore incorporate features that will emphasise inclusion, not discrimination against any group like the disabled and gifted, street and working children, minorities and other marginalized groups.”

Prof Opoku Agyemang said in discussing quality assurance in educational assessment, there is also the need for the participants to also address the phenomenon of examination malpractices that range from leaks through irregularities committed at exams centres, which undermine quality of assessment.

She called for closer links with school and education authorities in addressing shortcomings in the curriculum and instructions, while considering adopting standards that strengthen quality assurance systems.

She said regular internal audits and peer reviews like the annual conference are also important.

Reverend Sam Nii Nimai Ollenu, Head of Ghana Office, WAEC, said the conference would enable participants to share views on how to combat the threat to education and integrity of examinations in Africa.

Mr Michael Chilala, President of AEAA, said the apex of every education is examination assessment and certification and, therefore, the need to ensure security of examinations records, which is the cornerstone of every country.

He said the Association would continue to work to maintain standards in assessment by breaking down all artificial barriers and rather unifying education to ensure improvement of standards and harmonization.

In a keynote address, Professor Dr Daniel Buor, the Outgoing Vice Chancellor of Valley View University, said the quality of the method of educational assessment is very crucial since a better method would produce those who had gained the right and appropriate skills with which to function effectively and efficiently in various spheres of economic and social life.

“Quality must be the hallmark of the training of personnel in educational institutions to ensure that they are well equipped to skillfully handle areas under their control. Poor quality of training will result in mediocrity in performance, hence poor delivery of services,” he said.

Prof Buor said unfortunately, corruption which has worked into the fabric of the society is weaving into the training process with leakages of examination questions; buying of examination questions from unscrupulous officials by parents, guardians and students; and execution of class assignment by hired individuals, all undermining quality education.

He said in the bid of ensuring that students pass their exams, some teachers are compromising their principles while examination supervisors are also induced by the desire for material benefits, and engaged in various activities “responsible for watering down on quality of training in educational institutions.”

Prof Buor, therefore, called for rigorous supervision of examinations in all countries, particularly in Ghana, while the use of multidisciplinary approach should be applied in assessing students as well as examiners to ensure that syllabus being used to teach students are linked with those used to set questions for students.