No one can score zero per cent in BECE – Prof Opare

The Institute of Education, University of Cape Coast on Wednesday observed that it is a misinterpretation for anybody to state that a school had scored zero per cent in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.

Professor James Adu Opare, Director of the Institute explained that the BECE results have both certification and placement purposes in second cycle institutions.

He said the pass grades are from one to nine, which means that even students who did not make the grade to be placed in the Senior High School (SHS) cannot be deemed to have failed.

Prof Opare said instead they should be referred to as students who did not qualify for SHS placement.

Prof Opare made the observation during the Central Region World Teachers’ Day celebration held in Cape Coast on the theme: “Teacher for Gender Equality.”

He pointed out that it is not the aspiration of all candidates to have second cycle education after BECE.

He said it is imperative for stakeholders to disabuse their minds that BECE results is mainly  for placement in SHS and come out models that would absorb the more than 50 per cent of students who are out of school.

Prof Opare underscored the important role teachers can play in enhancing quality education in the country and stressed that it is absolutely necessary that a continuing professional development culture is instituted for them to enhance their professional competence.

He said continuing professional development of teachers would be successful if teachers played a frontal role and were supported with financial resources and policy direction.

Source: GNA