National Standardized Test for all Primary Students in Ghana

In Ghana, following the New Educational Reforms by Ministry of Eduction in Collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the introduction of Standards-Based Curriculum, one of it agenda is to organize a common exam for all primary school in Ghana. Hence, the introduction of a National Standardized Test for all primary school within the country.

Henceforth, the Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei-Adutwum Speaking on the subject “President Akufo-Addo’s Education Agenda: Four years and Beyond” on Sunday, June 6, 2021, stated that each one primary four students in Ghana are going to be the primary batch to undergo the just introduced initiative.

He further stated that the test doesn’t only seek to enhance learning outcomes but also reduce learning poverty across the country.

Why National Standardized Test in Ghana?

According to Dr. Adutwum, pupils waiting 11 years before writing their first national exams, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), makes it too late to rectify the vast literacy poverty recorded yearly.

As such a periodic national exam on primary students will give the Ghana Education Service the amble time to intervene within the lives of the Pupils.

“The World Bank talks about learning poverty, they assert 53% of scholars in their 10th year of varied countries cannot read for understanding and Ghana isn’t an exception.

“That is why the President says we’d like to rework the space, and transformation of the space means all fourth graders this year are getting to be tested across the lengths and breadths of this country.

“Everyone among them [sits for this exams] so that we see the challenges that are confronting us as a nation, then we give them one year once they are in primary five to form the required interventions,” he said.

He added that “A national standardized test which has been wiped out Singapore and other places goes to be a reality under the watch and leadership of President Akufo-Addo.”

The Bosomtwe MP subsequently called on parents to support the government’s new initiative to develop and transform the education sector.

How is the National Standardized Test going to benefit parents?

“So parents, our goal is straightforward, we would like to understand whether your child can read or not. and therefore the report is going to be generated and given to every single parent during this country in mathematics and literacy for them to understand whether their wards do well or not.

“Then we’ll have the chance to trace them longitudinally,” he stressed.

Conclusion

The Minister stated that, government will maximize technology to digitize the education sector in Ghana.

He said a portal is currently underway which will give his outfit access to gauge the attendance and performance of both teachers and students in every Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly.