The New Patriotic Party government’s proposal for non-payment of examination fees is facing severe challenges, significantly hampering teaching and learning at primary schools across the country due to the government’s inability to cover the costs of conducting examinations. This financial constraint has led to delays in the processing of scripts and payment to outsourced contractors, disrupting the smooth running of academic exercises.
In recent years, delays in payment of examination fees and timely fund disbursements have adversely affected the academic calendar of WAEC, causing delays in result releases and payments to script markers.
William Boadi, Executive Director of the Educate African Institute, highlighted these issues on the Adekye Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra. He emphasized that the government’s delay in funding disbursement has significantly impacted the evaluation and assessment of teachers and students’ academic work.
Addressing the same concerns on the show, Peter Nortsu Kotoe, Member of Parliament for Akatsi North and ranking member on education in parliament, reiterated that the government has failed to provide adequate financial support to basic schools, resulting in significant infrastructural deficits that hinder effective teaching and learning nationwide. He emphasized the urgent need for the government to establish a workable calendar to ensure prompt payment and fund releases that do not disrupt the academic year.
In a recent development, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh disclosed to Parliament that the Ministry of Finance has released 80 million Ghana Cedis to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). This follows concerns raised by Yusif Sulemana, MP for Bole-Bamboi, regarding the government’s outstanding debts to WAEC.
Initially, WAEC had only received GH₵2.3 million out of the required GH₵95.83 million, prompting a request for at least 50% of the total amount to conduct the examination, along with additional funds for result processing and release.
The BECE is scheduled to take place from July 8 to July 15, 2024, across all examination centers in the country. John Kapi, WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, previously expressed concerns that the examination might be delayed if funds were not released promptly. Although approximately GH¢6 million has been processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), it has yet to be translated into actual cash.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh assured Parliament that GH₵80 million has indeed been disbursed to WAEC. He confirmed receiving information from the Minister of State, Abena Osei Asare, regarding the release of funds.
Story by: AYM Kukah
