Teachers in some basic schools in the Ashanti Region have resorted to writing examination questions on chalkboards because authorities cannot afford to print materials.
Children have to wait outside the classroom until the teacher is done writing all questions on the board before they resume their seats to write the paper.
The old-age practice is returning because Ghana Education Service (GES) has suspended payment of Parent-Teacher Association dues, part of which is used to print questions.
Over 40 objective questions on boards
Some of the teachers have to write over 40 objective questions on boards for the students within a limited amount of time and space.
ICT, subjects that require drawing pose constraints
Teachers said they are compelled to reduce the number of question for each subject while they are constrained when it comes to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other subjects that require drawing.
Most of the schools have already begun the end-of-term exams while others have had to reschedule the examination dates.
PTA, exam, exams paper printing, extra classes fees outlawed
A directive dated January 25, 2019 from the Ghana Education Service banned heads of basic schools from collecting Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues, termly examination printing fees, mock exams and extra classes fees.
“Anyone who contravenes this directive could risk being dismissed, demoted or suffer any other appropriate sanctions,” the directive signed by Augustina Konadu-Yiadom, District Director of Education, said.
Some schools also refunded monies they collected from the pupils as printing fees after a meeting with their district directors, who asked them to comply with the GES directive.
From the position of the GES, it is for poor kids who are in public basic schools in Ghana, and these fees which are illegal and anti-schooling are causing serious access and retention issues.
GH₵50 printing fees
It is said that some schools charge as much GH₵50 as examination printing fees.
FCUBE under threat
This, the GES said, is an impediment to the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) guaranteed in the 1992 Constitution.
These schools have collected these fees for over 10 years and still nearly 50% score 0-5% on Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) results.
Source: The Finder
