Dr Saeed Adam Banda, a prominent educationist, researcher, and policy analyst, has dismissed the notion that the volume of subjects taught at the basic level of education is excessive.
Staunchly defending the current academic framework during an interview on Rainbow Radio’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Dr Banda asserted that the standard of nine subjects is appropriate.
He argued that this structure aligns perfectly with national educational goals and does not inherently overburden learners, provided that effective teaching and preparation strategies are consistently applied.
“For the subjects, I disagree with people argue that the subjects are excessive. I think notwithstanding the concerns, students who have made adequate preparations should answer these questions,” he stated.
Dr Banda made these remarks while addressing the issue of examination malpractice during the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to him, the primary driver behind cheating in examination halls is inadequate student readiness rather than the curriculum itself.
He explained that many students fail to engage in proper learning and preparation for their assessments, which fosters a culture of desperation. When the pressure of the examination mounts, this lack of readiness drives them to seek illicit “ways and means” to answer questions. He emphasised that the focus should remain on fostering genuine study habits from an early stage to eliminate this desperation.
Dr Banda pointed to widespread access to technology as a significant enabler of these malpractices. While he acknowledged technology as a boon for education, he noted that advanced software and digital tools have inadvertently opened doors to exploitation during high-stakes tests.
To counter this, he called for the implementation of robust safeguards, such as tech-restricted examination environments and digital literacy programmes that focus heavily on ethics.
Expanding on the multifaceted nature of the problem, Dr Banda added: “There are so many factors that can lead to examination malpractices. But what I have attributed as one of the reasons is inadequate preparation. Most of the students don’t prepare well for the exams and so when the questions come, they find every means possible to answer these questions. Another factor is the issue of the digital age especially the use of mobile phones. There are applications or software that make examination malpractice very easy. Teachers and parents ts are also contributory factors to examination malpractice in recent times.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
