Education Ministry Responds to NDC

The Ministry of Education has registered its disagreement with a call by the National Democratic Congress for the resignation of the Minister over the 2002 Basic Examination Certificate Examination.

In a press release signed by Ahmed Ayuba, the Public Relations officer, the Ministry said the decision to call for a resit of the 2002 BECE "was taken in the supreme interest of the Ghanaian child after very careful consideration of various options open as well as the financial and social implications of these options".

The Ministry responded to the points raised by the NDC as follows:

* The ?42.5 billion that the NDC claims as the cost incurred as a result of the decision taken by the ministry is totally inaccurate. The total amount in the reprinting of all the questions is estimated at 5 billion cedis and this is to be borne by WAEC.

* The minister cannot the accused of being negligent and incompetent because even though the sector minister has overall responsibility over all educational matters, the responsibility for the conduct of examinations clearly lies with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Nevertheless, the minister has acted with dispatch to save an otherwise impossible situation.

* The assertion that the Ministry is re-awarding the contract for the printing of new sets of examination papers is premature and therefore hastily speculative.

The statement said the Ministry wishes to reassure the general public that it is working around the clock to ensure the smooth resit of the 2002 BECE, that appropriate action is taken to prevent future leakage and the application of appropriate sanctions against officials who have either by omission or commission contributed to the current problem.

It said the position of the NDC is "indefensible, unjustifiable and totally incongruous".