Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof Stephen Adei, has urged stakeholders in Ghana’s education sector to look beyond the WASSCE grading system when assessing candidates’ performance.
According to him, the grading structure cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in examination results because it has remained largely consistent over the years.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Prof Adei said the recent improvement in WASSCE performance should not be used to draw broad conclusions about the state of education, just as a poor performance in a single year should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of declining standards.
He argued that other issues within the education system, particularly the placement process, deserve closer attention when concerns arise over students’ inability to secure placement in their preferred schools.
“You can’t blame the grading system,” he said, noting that its consistency makes it a common denominator when comparing results across different years.
Prof Adei, however, admitted that the current grading structure is unnecessarily complicated and could be simplified.
“I personally think that the grading system is unnecessarily complicated. They should go for straight marking like the WASSCE and then use it,” he said.
He further cautioned against using the results of one examination year to establish a statistical trend in academic standards.
While acknowledging concerns about possible deterioration in educational standards, Prof Adei stressed that several years of data would be required to determine whether there has been a sustained decline or improvement.
He therefore called for a broader assessment of the education system rather than placing the blame on the examination grading structure whenever WASSCE outcomes generate public concern.
