No More Stress After Exams: GES Restores Pre-BECE School Selection- Bravo!
As we continue to evolve our educational system, key decisions regarding basic education hold immense importance. The Ghana Education Service (GES) recently announced a significant policy change, stating that Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates will now choose their senior high school (SHS) options prior to taking the exams. This instruction, detailed in a circular dated May 13, 2025, and signed by Prince Charles Agyemang-Duah on behalf of the Acting Director-General of GES, reflects a renewed commitment to a learner-focused framework that takes into consideration the psychological and practical needs of both students and their families.
Educators have long awaited this shift, which goes beyond a mere scheduling change; it corrects a flawed practice that has caused unnecessary challenges for various stakeholders. This change reinstates a thoughtful, proactive approach that has previously benefited the nation.
Importance of the Change
The previous post-exam school selection process faced numerous difficulties. Under the old model, students completed the BECE, returned home often to remote rural areas and were later called back for school selection. This disjointed system imposed logistical burdens on educators and financial strains on families.
A report from the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) emphasizes, “one of the most persistent challenges of the current school placement system is the absence of students at the crucial decision-making moment, leading to rushed selections, errors, and, in some cases, complete misplacement” (GNECC, 2023). Many teachers struggle to contact students who have returned home, often lacking direct communication or facing delays due to guardians who are not engaged in the educational process.
The new policy allows school counsellors and teachers to assist students in the school selection while they are present and still connected to their school environment. This enhancement is expected to reduce errors, miscommunication, and last-minute upheaval.
Economic Relief and Equity
The financial implications of the old selection process are significant. Many families, especially in underserved areas, found themselves needing to travel multiple times to urban centres for the selection, leading to additional transportation costs, time off work, and, in some cases, overnight stays expenses that would be mitigated if the process occurred while students were still in school.
A head teacher in Greater Accra recently expressed, “We constantly face challenges locating students through outdated contacts and absent guardians. It’s a nightmare.” This logistical difficulty places an unnecessary burden on both schools and families.
Motivation and Academic Focus
A vital, yet often overlooked, benefit of the pre-exam school selection is its positive impact on student motivation. When students identify their preferred schools in advance, they are more likely to recognize the importance of diligent study and maintain focus during exam preparation. This aligns with the goal-setting theory put forth by Locke and Latham (2002), which suggests that “specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance when compared with easy or ambiguous goals.”
With a clear vision of their educational aspirations, they are more inclined to take charge of their academic success. The old post-exam system disrupted this connection, diminishing motivation and academic concentration during the critical weeks leading to the examinations.
Mental Health and Emotional Support
Education encompasses not just academics but emotional well-being as well. The pressure on students during and after the BECE can be significant. Following months of intense preparation, learners require time to rest and mentally decompress, rather than immediate re-engagement in administrative duties.
Dr. Gifty Quarshie, a psychologist at the University of Ghana, notes that “students need time to decompress after national exams. Reintroducing school routines too soon can lead to anxiety and burnout” (Quarshie, 2022). By shifting the selection process to before the exams, GES enables students to have the necessary post-exam recovery time.
Administrative Efficiency
For school leaders and district officials, the updated timeline is a welcome development. It will provide a structured opportunity to engage students in a controlled environment and ensures greater data accuracy. Additionally, it will alleviate the chaotic environment that often follows exams, where schools struggle to coordinate students scattered across various locations.
According to a 2021 policy brief by the Centre for Educational Research and Training (CERT), “delays and errors in school placement stem largely from fragmented communication and the absence of structured pre-exam engagement.” The new GES directive directly addresses these issues.
Thoughtful Implementation
Although this policy change is commendable, its success hinges on careful execution. The GES must ensure that all parties: school leaders, educators, parents, and local education officials are adequately trained and informed.
Where possible, efforts to digitize the process should be made, enabling students and schools to input and confirm selections online. A public awareness campaign should accompany the rollout, particularly aimed at rural communities where understanding may lag.
Moreover, the Ministry of Education should establish systems for ongoing monitoring and refinement of the process each year. Feedback from parents, students, and educators will be essential in ensuring the pre-exam selection approach is efficient and equitable.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the GES’s decision to revert to a pre-BECE school selection is a timely and transformative reform focused on students. It addresses persistent challenges, prioritizes the welfare of students and families, and clarifies a previously convoluted system.
The GES has made an important first move. Now it is our responsibility school leaders, parents, teachers, and policy advocates to ensure this change is impactful and lasting. Together, let’s keep students at the heart of every decision we make.
The bridge may have been broken, but careful reconstruction can lead our students toward a more promising future.
WRITTEN BY: WISDOM KOUDJO KLU,
EDUCATION EXPERT/COLUMNIST,
GREATER ACCRA REGION.
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