The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to prevent students who have not reached Junior High School (JHS) Form 3 from registering for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to the Minister, the directive forms part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s basic education system and improving overall learning outcomes.
He explained that allowing underqualified candidates to sit the examination violates existing guidelines established by the West African Examinations Council and the Ghana Education Service.
Speaking in an interview on thursday, April 2, Mr. Iddrisu stressed that early participation in the BECE by students who have not completed the required academic progression is unacceptable.
He noted that the practice has contributed to consistently poor performance in BECE results, as many candidates are not adequately prepared for the demands of the examination.
The Minister observed that some learners are often allowed to skip classes or are encouraged to sit external examinations based on perceived academic ability, despite not meeting the formal requirements.
Describing the situation as untenable, he emphasized that the revised policy will strictly enforce eligibility criteria, ensuring that only students who have fully progressed to JHS Form 3 are permitted to sit the BECE.