10 subjects in five days is torture – EduWatch on BECE

Education think tank Africa Education Watch has criticised the structure of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), describing it as unfair and excessively stressful for candidates.

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In a Facebook post on Thursday, May 7, Executive Secretary of EduWatch, Kofi Asare, argued that the current examination format places undue pressure on students because of the number of subjects they are required to write within a limited period.

According to him, the arrangement is outdated and does not reflect modern assessment systems used in other countries, where aptitude tests and continuous assessment are incorporated into placement processes.

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He further called for reforms to the BECE structure, proposing that the number of examinable subjects be reduced to four core areas.

“Piling 10 subjects over a 5-day high-stakes BECE just for school placement is torture on learners. Reduce to 4 subjects: Math, English, Science & General Paper. Others even use an aptitude test plus continuous assessment. This is 2026, not 1996,” he said.

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His comments come amid the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination, during which more than 10 students and invigilators have reportedly been arrested over examination malpractice.

The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council, is expected to run until May 11, with 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools participating.