Candidates for this year’s West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSEC) will write ‘Country Specific Examinations’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WASSCE is expected to commence from August 3 to September 4, this year following the postponement of the original date in June.
The country specific becomes necessary following the inability by the countries writing the WASSCE to agree on a common date because Covid-19.
Over the past decade, some countries in the sub region, including Ghana, Nigeria and Gambia have agreed to allow their students at the secondary school level participate in the WASSCE, which is supervised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and enable holders of WASSCE to pursue university education in member countries of ECOWAS.
Ghana’s Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, giving details of the school reopening protocols following easing of restrictions on public gatherings in Accra on Tuesday, said WASSCE candidates would write ‘Ghana Specific Exams’, instead of the WASSCE.
The Minister said all students will start lessons at 9am and close at 1pm, break periods will be observed in the classroom when schools re-open on June 15.
Government would provide three sets of reusable face masks to students and staff.
There should be disinfection of all educational institutions both public and private, while school authorities ensure availability of washing facilities such as Veronica Buckets for hand washing.
There would be no religious service and sporting activities in schools while students attend dining hall in batches.
The Minister said all Day Students in boarding schools would be accepted as boarders whilst Day Schools would have enhanced daily health protocols.
Also, there would be mapping of schools and link them with health facilities for quick response to any medical emergencies.
University and SHS students would use six weeks for academic work and four weeks to write their exit examinations whilst JHS students would spend 11 weeks for academic work and a week to write the Basic Education Certificate Examinations(BECE).
The Minister stated that parents or guardians who had children in boarding schools would not be allowed to visit their children during the period.