Equity in Education: The Ghanaian Dilemma of Continuous Assessment in Private Junior High Schools

In Ghana, the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) is a critical juncture in a student's educational journey, serving as both a certification mechanism and a gateway to higher education. However, a growing concern among parents and educators in the private school sector is the fairness of the continuous assessment component, which accounts for 30% of a student's final grade.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) mandates that the BECE's results are derived from both continuous assessment—encompassing class exercises and marked homework—and an external examination. While the latter constitutes the majority of the assessment with a 70% weight, the continuous assessment's 30% is significant enough to influence a student's future academic path.

Parents of students in private Junior High schools have voiced apprehensions regarding the lack of a level playing field in the continuous assessment process. They argue that while private schools maintain rigorous standards in daily homework and class exercises, it is uncertain whether public schools can match these due to potential disparities in resources, such as textbook availability and proper supervision.

This perceived inconsistency has led to a strategic migration of students. Parents are transferring their well-prepared children from private schools to public schools to undertake the BECE, often as early as Junior High School-1 or 2. The rationale behind this move is the observation that students from the private schools who write the BECE through public schools tend to achieve better grades than their counterparts who remain in private institutions for the examination. However, whether the continuous assessment scores of private school candidates are factored into their overall BECE scores remains a point of contention and time will ultimately reveal the truth.

The phenomenon raises questions about the transparency of the Ghana Education Service in managing the continuous assessment component. The disparity in outcomes not only undermines the credibility of the assessment system but also impacts the senior high school placement prospects of private school candidates.

The situation calls for a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders in the Ghanaian education sector. It is imperative for the government to address these concerns to restore trust and transparency in the continuous assessment process. By doing so, it can ensure that every child, regardless of the type of school they attend, is given an equal opportunity to succeed and is assessed fairly, reflecting their true capabilities.

This issue transcends mere policy—it touches the very core of educational equity and the future of the nation's youth. As such, it warrants immediate attention and action to uphold the integrity of Ghana's educational system and the aspirations of its students.