Final-year junior high school (JHS) students in Ghana are gearing up to face new challenges in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School Candidates, as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announces the addition of three new subjects. The forthcoming examination will feature Career Technology, Creative Art and Design, and Arabic, providing students with a broader spectrum of knowledge and skills.
Career Technology and Creative Art and Design, derived from the previous Basic Design and Technology (BDT) curriculum, will be mandatory for all candidates, reflecting the evolving educational landscape and the importance of equipping students with practical skills relevant to contemporary workplaces.
However, Arabic will be offered as an optional subject for candidates in Islamic basic schools, aligning with efforts to accommodate diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds.
In light of these additions, the duration of the examination has been extended to six days, with the first paper scheduled to commence on Monday, July 8, 2024, and the final paper concluding on Monday, July 15, 2024. This adjustment allows adequate time for candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in the new subjects alongside the existing ones.
John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, emphasized the flexibility of the Ghanaian educational system, stating that new subjects could be introduced to meet the evolving needs of society. He reassured stakeholders that WAEC was fully prepared for the examination, with registration completed and logistical arrangements underway.
The official timetable released by WAEC outlines the sequence of papers, with English Language and Religious and Moral Education kicking off the examination on Monday, July 8, 2024. Subsequent days will see candidates tackling subjects ranging from Science and Computing to Mathematics and Ghanaian Language, culminating in the Arabic paper on Monday, July 15, 2024.
This year’s BECE candidates will be the inaugural cohort to sit the examination under the Common Core Curriculum, marking a significant transition in educational methodology. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and practical learning experiences, aiming to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
