About 16,000 learners from basic schools across Ghana are taking part in a sample national standardised test aimed at assessing learning outcomes and strengthening the country’s education system.
The exercise, which is being conducted among selected learners at various levels of basic education, was monitored by the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and his team during a visit to some examination centres in Accra.
The team visited St. Peter’s RC Basic School and Osu Salem 1 KG and Primary School to observe the conduct of the assessment and evaluate the progress of the exercise.
This year’s sample comprises 2,500 KG Two learners, 4,500 Primary Two learners, 4,500 Primary Four learners and 4,500 Primary Six learners.
Speaking to the media after the tour, Mr Iddrisu said the assessment forms part of efforts to improve Ghana’s education system by transitioning from periodic assessments of different groups of learners to a cohort-based learning assessment model.
He explained that under the new approach, the same group of learners will be tracked and assessed at different stages of their educational journey to provide a clearer picture of their learning progress.
The minister said the learners will first be assessed at the primary level before being followed through Primary Four, Primary Six and eventually Junior High School Two, shortly before they sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
He noted that the approach would enable education authorities to better identify learning gaps, design targeted interventions and improve learning outcomes across schools.
The standardised test is expected to generate critical data to inform policy decisions and strengthen teaching and learning in Ghana’s basic education sector.
