The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the Tema West Constituency, James Tamakloe, has thrown his support behind a directive by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) to halt the use of unapproved assessment materials and mock examinations in pre-tertiary schools.
NaCCA has directed heads of pre-tertiary institutions across the country to immediately stop administering assessment items and mock examinations that have not been vetted and approved by the Council.
The directive follows concerns over the use of assessment materials developed by unapproved consortiums, institutions and individuals in some basic schools.
In a statement issued on Saturday, August 8, NaCCA reminded school authorities that it is the statutory body responsible for approving assessment items and tasks for pre-tertiary education in Ghana.
The Council stressed that schools are not permitted to administer externally developed assessment materials unless they have first undergone the required vetting and approval process.
NaCCA said the measure is intended to ensure that assessment materials used in schools meet the required standards and are properly aligned with the approved curriculum.
It also warned that schools that procure, administer or facilitate the use of unapproved assessment materials could face appropriate regulatory sanctions.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s Nkosuo Nsem with Kofi Sekyi, James Tamakloe described the directive as a step in the right direction, saying it could help sanitise Ghana’s education system and curb practices that undermine the integrity of assessments.
He argued that students should not be taught according to the approved NaCCA curriculum only to be assessed later with materials based on a different syllabus.
According to him, enforcing the directive will help ensure that pupils are not shortchanged in their education while also promoting accountability and reducing opportunities for corruption within the system.
He further urged school authorities to comply with the directive and ensure that all assessment materials used in their institutions have received the necessary approval from NaCCA.
By: Bernard Mensah
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