Poor performance in BECE worrying – Minister

Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister has expressed worries about the poor performance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Region.

He said in recent times, percentages chalked at the BECE had been dwindling, recording 46.1 per cent in 2012, which declined to 40.9 percent in 2013 and further reduced to 28.81 per cent in 2014.

He said Ghana’s most important resource is her human resource and despite the huge investment governments had made in the provision of educational infrastructure, notably schools, teaching and learning materials, the region was still recording poor performance with some schools scoring zero percent pass.

Alhaji Sulemana made this known when he addressed school children, security agencies, traditional rulers, representatives of political parties, religious organisations, heads of departments and agencies and a cross section of the public at the 58th anniversary celebration of Ghana’s Independence parade in Wa.

The Regional Minister said the performance was not only at the basic school level, but that similar trends pertain in the senior high schools in the Region and appealed to all stakeholders to ensure that the trend was reversed.

“School Management Committees, Board of Governors, Parent Teacher Associations and the communities at large should get more involved with the affairs of the schools,” he said.

Alhaji Sulemana urged students and pupils to take their studies more seriously and also, be obedient to their parents and the school authorities.

“You are the future leaders of this nation. Great nations are made up of great people and as young people you should portray good values and make good use of the opportunities this country has to offer you,” he advised.