“New Grading System not favouring Students” – Mr. Essibu

The Director of Ideal College in Accra, Mr. Joseph Kwabena Essibu has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take re-look at the New Grading system of students who write the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) since it is not favouring them especially in the mathematics and science subjects.

He said every year, less than 20% of students make it to the tertiary level, while 70 – 80% of students remain in the house for an examination re-sit.

According to Mr. Essibu, in 2007, 2008 and 2009, students who had D7 to F9 or failed in their examination were 86.6%, 85.5% and 76.5 respectively.

Mr. Essibu said this in react to issues raised by some Senior High Schools about students not making good grades that will guarantee them into the university

Mr. Essibu said the lack of synchronization of policies of the GES has also contributed to students not passing their examination and added that some topics treated in the schools are not necessary citing the Integrated Science subject as being too loaded for students to be able to learn.

 He therefore charged the stakeholders, GES and the West African Examination Council to go back to the A – F system of grading instead of the A1 – F9 system of grading.

According to Mr. Kyei Baffour, a Member of the school’s research team, statistics reveal that 70 – 80% of students fail in the compulsory core subjects, thus English, Mathematics and Integrated science.

He called on WAEC to come out with their own grading system to enable all student enter into the universities.