Africa Education Watch (EduWatch) has proposed a change to the current system for selecting Senior High Schools in Ghana. The GES commenced the school selection process on 23rd August and this is expected to end on 4th September.
However, EduWatch believes that if school selection is done after the release of the results, it will help avoid all the problems that come with school placement misses, and self-placement among others.
Currently, students who have completed Junior High School (JHS) are required to select their preferred Senior High Schools (SHSs) before their BECE results are released.
This means that students and their parents must make their school choices based on their anticipated grades, which can lead to problems.
For example, students who are confident that they will do well on the BECE may select “Category A” schools, which are the most competitive schools in Ghana. However, if these students do not perform as well as they expected, they may not be able to get into their chosen schools. This can lead to disappointment and frustration for students and their families.
Release BECE results before school selection -Eduwatch’s Argument
EduWatch argues that releasing BECE results before school selection would help to address this problem. By knowing their actual grades, students would be able to make more informed choices about which schools to apply to. This would also help to ensure that all SHSs are able to admit students who are academically suited for them.
In addition to the benefits for students, EduWatch also believes that releasing BECE results before school selection would have other benefits for the education system as a whole. For example, it would help to reduce the pressure on students and their families, and it would make the school selection process more fair and equitable.
EduWatch’s proposal has been met with mixed reactions. Some people support the idea, while others believe that it is not necessary. The Ghana Education Service has not yet commented on the proposal.
READ: Reasons why most African children cannot compete in academics with children in developed countries
Here are some additional thoughts on the proposal “Release BECE results before schools selection from EduWatch
- Releasing BECE results before school selection would give students more control over their future. It would also help to reduce the stress and anxiety that many students experience during the school selection process.
- The proposal would also be more fair to all students, regardless of their background. Currently, students from wealthy families have an advantage, as they can afford to pay for private tutoring and other services that can help them improve their BECE scores.
- However, there are also some potential drawbacks to the proposal. For example, it could lead to more students applying to the most popular schools, which could make it even more difficult for students to get into their chosen schools.
- Additionally, the proposal would require the Ghana Education Service to make changes to its existing systems and procedures. This could be a challenge, as the service is already facing a number of other challenges, such as a shortage of teachers and classrooms.
READ: 2023 BECE Result Release Date Projected
Overall, the proposal to release BECE results before school selection is a complex one with both potential benefits and drawbacks. It is important to carefully consider all of the factors involved before making a decision.
Source: Wisdom Hammond |GhanaEducation.org