Accra: Professor Duwiejua Mahama, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), has expressed concern about the poor performance of Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in the Sissala East and Sissala West Districts. He revealed that more than 80 per cent of students scored aggregate 30 and above, describing this as worrying.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Mahama made these remarks during the 40th anniversary and graduation ceremony of the Tumu College of Education. He urged the college to conduct a comprehensive study into the persistent low performance of Junior High School students in the two districts. In the 2024 BECE results, no candidate in Sissala East obtained aggregates between 7 and 10, while only one student scored between 11 and 15, representing less than one per cent of the 1,249 candidates presented.
He further disclosed that approximately 89 per cent of candidates in Sissala East scored an aggregate of 30 and above, labeling the situation as discouraging. A similar trend was observed in Sissala West, with no candidate obtaining aggregates between seven and 15, while about 72 per cent scored 30 and above.
"Where are all these children going?" Prof. Mahama questioned, highlighting that such results limit students' access to quality second-cycle institutions and future opportunities. He pointed out that the issue is not confined to the two districts but is indicative of broader challenges facing rural education across the region.
Prof. Mahama urged Tumu College of Education, as it marks 40 years of teacher training, to take on the responsibility of researching the causes and proposing practical solutions to address the chronic underperformance in rural basic schools. He emphasized that the college's mandate to train competent teachers, particularly for rural communities, positions it strategically to help reverse the trend.
While congratulating the graduating teachers, Prof. Mahama reminded them that they were inheriting not only a legacy of excellence but also the responsibility to improve learning outcomes in underserved communities. He encouraged them to embrace perseverance, integrity, and commitment as they step into classrooms to help transform the educational fortunes of the Sissala area and beyond.