Reduce examinable subjects of the BECE- retired educationist

Ho, Sept 15, GNA - Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, Paramount Chief of the Ziavi Traditional Area has suggested that, examinable subjects at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) be limited to some core subjects to stem the high failure rates. Togbe Ayim asked policy planners to reflect on the past system, in which basic school students were examined mainly in English language, Mathematics, History and Geography and yet went on to become high caliber scholars.

He was speaking at the 16th National Conference and Workshop of the Ghana Association of Business Education Teachers (GABET) in Ho. Togbe Ayim, a retired Special Education Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES) said the areas currently covered for the BECE seemed to be beyond the capacities of many of the candidates. He also suggested that examination time tables be spread over longer periods to enable students have room for preparation. The five-day conference was under the theme "The development of Business Education in Ghana-The Contribution of the Business Community". Togbe Ayim said some knowledge of Business Subjects was important for everybody since "everybody does some form of business everyday to survive".

He observed that it was the lack of knowledge in proper business practices that resulted in the collapse of many small and big business concerns. Dr Joseph Yaw Osei, Senior Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba recommended that Business Schools at all levels should involve the Business Communities in developing their learning schedules to make graduates relevant to the times. Mr Joseph Addo, outgoing GABET President called for the reduction of corruption at all levels in Ghana to ensure faster development. GABET was started by private commercial schools, which offered business education programmes, but now covers tutors of Senior High Schools in the country. 15 Sept. 08