Claim: Ghana Education Service reduces BECE subjects from 9 to 5

Source: Social Media

Verdict: MISLEADING

Researched by Sedem Kwasigah

Has the Ghana Education Service(GES) reduced the number of subjects to be written in the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) from nine (9) to five (5)?

A video interview shared by MX24 on X/Twitter shows the Director of Schools and Instruction Division of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Emmanuel Agyemang Duah making the claim.

“What has been done is that, for the 2024 BECE, five subjects are going to be written by the candidates: English Language, Mathematics, Science, and then, a Ghanaian language. The fifth subject will be general knowledge, where they are going to exhibit mastery of ideas across the other subject areas; ICT, social studies, RME, all these will come together as one subject,” he stated during the interview which has generated social media conversations.

Meanwhile, some online platforms have since published news articles (here, here, and here) announcing the move to the public.

A collage of screenshots of some news articles wrongly announcing the GES decision 

Background

The Basic Education Certificate Examination is the main examination to qualify students for admission into secondary and vocational schools in Ghana. Under the oversight of the Ghana Education Service, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) organizes and holds the examination.

As of 2023, BECE candidates wrote nine (9) subjects – English Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education (RME), French, Ghanaian Language, Basic Design and Technology and Information Communication and Technology.

Fact-Check

On January 6, 2024, the GES issued a debunk on its Facebook page, urging the public to “disregard any information or video in circulation suggesting that BECE candidates will write FIVE subjects this year.”

A screenshot of the debunk posted on Facebook by the GES

To further clarify the issues, GhanaFact contacted the Greater Accra Public Relations Officer of the GES, Peter Abledu-Golden, who explained that the video in circulation has been taken out of context.

“That particular video that was circulating was at a technical meeting where they were discussing the number of subjects that the children should offer. So one of the directors, that is the Director in charge of schools and instruction of Ghana Education Headquarters, came up with that suggestion, so it wasn’t conclusive that the children are coming to have that kind of number. At the appropriate time, NaCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment), the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry will come up with that. As it is now, disregard all this information,” the Public Relations Officer told GhanaFact.

Verdict

The claim that the Ghana Education Service(GES) has reduced the number of BECE subjects from 9 to 5 is misleading.