Camfed applauds WAEC; but worried

The Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) Ghana has applauded the West African Examination Council’s (WAEC) bold decision to cancel some leaked papers of the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

It has, however, expressed great worry about the psychological and financial impact on both students and parents, and has therefore issued a statement which the GNA has published in full text below.

PRESS STATEMENT

Camfed Ghana’s Position on the Leakage of Basic Education Certificate Examination Papers and Cancellation of the Affected Papers by the West African Examinations Council

Camfed Ghana has observed with keen interest the recent leakage of five papers in the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the subsequent cancellation by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) of the affected subjects.

As an organization committed to multiplying educational opportunities for girls and empowering young women in rural areas of Ghana to become leaders of change, we wish to state that the leakage of the said papers is both unfortunate and regrettable.

While applauding WAEC for the bold and difficult decision it has taken to cancel and to re-schedule the writing of the affected papers, we wish to emphasize that the developments will have psychological impact on the candidates, particularly those in rural areas. These candidates who might not have the means of accessing the leaked papers will have to be mentally prepared to re-sit the cancelled papers. The development also places a financial burden on parents of the affected candidates. They will have to provide money for transport and feeding for their wards to re-sit their papers.

It is in light of the above difficulties of the leakage and subsequent cancellation of the BECE papers that Camfed Ghana appeals to WAEC to take the necessary steps to forestall the occurrence of this unfortunate incident and to maintain the sanctity of examinations in Ghana.

Camfed Ghana will continue to collaborate and work with stakeholders in education to achieve its vision of a world in which every child is educated, protected, respected and valued, and grows up to turn the tide of poverty. For instance with the support of the Department for International Development (DFID), UK, as of 2014, a total of 31,000 girls were supported to attend junior and senior high schools while the total number of students directly supported to go to school is 138,040.

Additionally, The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program under the aegis of The MasterCard Foundation and in partnership with Camfed Ghana have and continue to make significant contributions to secondary and tertiary education in Ghana. Currently, the Scholars Program is providing holistic funding to support 2,220 girls to secondary school and 270 girls from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Central regions of Ghana to attend tertiary institutions.

In furtherance of its mission to multiply educational opportunities for girls and empower young women in rural areas of Ghana, Camfed Ghana and the US Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) will launch a program in support of girls' education through Let Girls Learn, an initiative announced by the First Lady of the United States.

Under this effort, Camfed will work with Peace Corps Volunteers to address the needs of vulnerable girls at risk of not finishing school by sharing best practices.

Camfed Ghana and its partners have shared values and commitment to the provision of quality education for girls and young women, who will be empowered for leadership in the country and beyond. We are indeed at the brink of an educated, intelligent and industrious generation of young women, who will not only stand out to be counted but will also initiate and sustain the change and progress that the nation in particular, and Africa at large need.