WAEC Introduces New Subjects for 2024 BECE Candidates
In a significant stride towards educational enrichment, the
West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has broadened the scope of the Basic
Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for 2024 final-year Junior High School
(JHS) students in Ghana. Three novel subjects - Career Technology, Creative Art
and Design, and Arabic, have been incorporated into the examination framework.
Derived from the former Basic Design and Technology (BDT),
Career Technology and Creative Art and Design will be obligatory for all
candidates, as per WAEC's directives. However, Arabic, reflecting inclusivity,
will remain optional for students enrolled in Islamic basic schools,
accommodating diverse educational preferences.
The expansion of subjects necessitates an adjustment in the
examination schedule, extending the duration from five to six days. Commencing
on Monday, July 8, 2024, and concluding on Monday, July 15, 2024, the BECE will
encompass a comprehensive evaluation of students' knowledge across the newly
introduced disciplines.
Mr. John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC,
elaborated on the examination's nuances, emphasizing its indigenous character,
which vests the Ghanaian government with the prerogative to determine the
educational landscape and examination criteria. With candidate registrations completed,
WAEC is now in the process of delineating the distribution of subjects among
examinees.
Asserting preparedness, Mr. Kapi assured stakeholders that
all requisite preparations, including question formulation and dissemination,
were diligently executed. The imminent commencement of the printing phase
underscores the council's steadfast adherence to the predetermined timeline.
Arabic, making its debut in the BECE curriculum, offers
candidates an elective avenue for academic validation, catering to individuals
proficient in the language seeking formal recognition of their skills. The
official timetable delineates a structured sequence of examinations,
facilitating a systematic appraisal of students' proficiencies.
The evolution of the BECE curriculum aligns with the
transition to the Common Core Curriculum, marking a paradigm shift towards
enhanced learning experiences and critical skill acquisition. This pioneering
cohort of candidates will navigate the examination landscape under this
transformative framework, delineating a new chapter in Ghana's educational
narrative.
