Piling 10 subjects in 5 days is torture on learners - Africa Education Watch on BECE

The Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has renewed calls for a major overhaul of Ghana’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), describing the current structure as overly burdensome for students and outdated.

In a Facebook post on May 7, 2026, Mr Asare argued that the existing requirement for students to sit for 10 subjects over a five-day period for placement into senior high school places excessive pressure on learners and does not align with modern global assessment standards.

He described the system as “torture,” insisting that it creates unnecessary stress for candidates at a critical stage in their education journey.

“Piling 10 subjects over a five-day high-stakes BECE just for school placement is torture on learners. Reduce to 4 subjects: Math, English, Science & General Paper,” he stated.

Mr Asare proposed that the BECE be simplified to four core subjects — Mathematics, English Language, Science, and a General Paper — arguing that this would reduce academic pressure while still providing a fair and effective basis for selection into senior high schools.

He further noted that many education systems globally have moved away from heavily exam-based progression models, instead adopting aptitude testing and continuous assessment approaches to evaluate student learning outcomes more holistically.

“Others even use aptitude test plus continued assessment. This is 2026, not 1996,” he emphasized, calling for Ghana’s education system to evolve in line with modern educational practices.

The Africa Education Watch Executive Secretary has long been an advocate for reforms in Ghana’s education sector, particularly around assessment systems, examination integrity, learning outcomes, and equity in access to quality education.

His latest comments come at a time when the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination is underway across the country, with reports indicating cases of examination malpractice involving both students and invigilators.

According to available figures, more than 10 individuals have reportedly been arrested in connection with examination irregularities during the ongoing exams.

The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), is expected to conclude on May 11, 2026. A total of 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools are participating in this year’s examination.