A senior lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University, Prof. Solomon Kwarteng Fokuo has called on the government to explain reports that about 55,000 students who sat for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) failed to secure placement into Senior High Schools (SHSs).
According to Prof. Fokuo, the number is alarming and raises serious questions about the government’s approach to education.
He said the government must explain why such a large number of students have been left without school placements, warning that many of the affected students could be forced to stay at home if urgent measures are not taken to provide them with opportunities to continue their education.
Speaking on the Wontumi Morning Show, hosted by Oheneba Nana Asiedu, Prof. Fokuo said the 55,000 students represented a significant number and could even fill a stadium.
“Is it deliberate? The government should explain to us. We don’t understand why 55,000 students who wrote the BECE will fail and will not get a school placement.”
He stressed that the situation could have serious consequences for the affected students and called for immediate measures to ensure that they are given the opportunity to continue their education.
“This cannot happen. There should be a way out. It will be very sad for 55,000 children to sit at home.”
Prof. Fokuo also raised concerns over an allegation that the government may be deliberately limiting the number of students entering the Free SHS programme because of the financial burden associated with the policy.
“There is an allegation that the government said if all the students go to Free SHS, the debt will be too much for the government. That is why they have decided to fail some students.”
He challenged the authorities to make public the grades obtained by the affected students