Falling educational standards in Ghana is a perception - Prof. Amedahe

Professor Francis Kodzo Amedahe, a Professor in Educational Measurement and Statistics of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has pointed out that the issue of falling educational standards in Ghana is a perception rather than reality.

He explained that data collected and analysed on the performance of students at the three levels of education which are the basic, secondary and tertiary could not clearly establish that standards are really falling even though at the basic level the performance of pupils was low.

Prof. Amedahe said this at his Inaugural Lecture at Cape Coast on Friday on the topic: “The Issue of Falling Educational Standards in Ghana: A Perception or Reality”.

The Lecture presided over by Professor Domwini Dabire Kuupole, Vice Chancellor of UCC, was attended by Heads of Department, Deans, Professors, lecturers, Students, chiefs and a cross section of the public.

Prof. Amedahe further indicated that available data did not support the view that the content and curricula standards and performance standards are falling.

He, however, noted that factors including the teacher, poor supervision, inadequate and late supply of materials, examination malpractices, improper use of instructional time, poor implementation of the curricula at various levels, large class sizes, quality of teacher training and uncertainties in educational policies that exist in Ghana today leads to the perception that the educational standards were falling.

He said it was, therefore, imperative for the above factors and others to be critically looked at to help improve educational quality and ensure high educational standards.

Prof. Amedahe pointed out that the nation’s educational system has seen several reviews and reforms that have led to the increased access to education at all levels, but despite these reforms, there were some serious quality issues that inform well- meaning Ghanaians to conclude that the educational standards are falling though available evidence does not support that position.

He in this regard recommended that the primary level need critical attention and proposed a revisit to the idea of the Ghana Basic Education Comprehensive Assessment System (BECAS) as well as the re-introduction of the School Education Assessment (SEA) or a standardised test in any form to help facilitate instruction to ensure accountability and remediation.

He asked that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to reconsider the use of BECE for both selection and certification, adding that “in principle one examination cannot be equally valid for both purposes”.

Prof Amedahe indicated that though the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) was doing well, it was important for the council to take a hard look at the English language grading at the BECE and WASSCE, stressing that, “poor English language played a major role in the views of people on falling educational standards”.

He noted that, at the Tertiary level, there was the need to be on the watch-out to maintain the standards, adding that the agencies and bodies responsible for ensuring quality standards, quality assurance units, academic planning committees and Accreditation Boards should be up and doing.

Prof Kuupole commended Prof Amedahe for the academic work and that it would go a long way to enhance the performance at the Faculty of Education in the UCC.

He urged the Faculty of Education to come out with pragmatic programmes and projects that will enhance education policies in the country.

Prof Amedahe has taught Educational Measurement and Evaluation, Statistics and research Methods since 1986. He was also the local consultant to the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service in the development of the Ghana Basic Education Comprehensive Assessment System (Ghana BECAS).

He served as research and evaluation specialist in Fairfax County Public Schools (1998-2000), Chair of Teacher Education at UCC ( 2008-2009) as well as vice-dean, Faculty of Education 2007-2008 and Dean in (2008-2010).