BECE Marking Scheme: According to the non-profit organization WAEC, the accusation that private school students’ BECE answer papers were marked using a different marking method than those of students at public schools is unfounded.
BECE Marking Scheme
The West African Examinations Council administration said in a statement obtained by myhealthink.com that just one draft marking scheme is developed for each topic for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
“The draft marking schemes are finalized at the National preliminary coordination meeting, which is attended by Chief Examiners and Zonal Team Leaders for each of the BECE subjects,” the non-profit organization said.
The West African Examinations Council said that the final marking schemes (one for each topic) are used to grade BECE mock scripts for School and Private applicants in order to guarantee uniformity in the awarding of marks for the test.
“On the envelopes holding the candidates’ scripts, neither the names of the schools nor the nature of the schools (private/public) are mentioned. To prevent examiners from marking applicants’ scripts for their specific areas, scripts are switched among the 16 regions of the nation, according to the WAEC.
The Examinations Council assured the general public, in particular BECE students, that its marking techniques are fair and represent the performance of candidates, and that it uses methods that are generally recognized across the world.
After a politician, Joseph Yamin, claimed that the organization strategically marked down the Basic Education Certificate Examination papers of private school pupils in order for them to fail, the West African Examinations Council made its statement.
He claimed in an interview with Ultimate FM that “Students at the private schools are fleeing during the current academic year due to Free SHS. There are now two marking schemes, one for public schools and one for private institutions.
Mr Yamin has urged the Council to provide a free and fair grading of the BECE scripts and abolish the hidden marking methods, citing prejudice against private school pupils who take the national test.
In an interview with a radio station situated in Kumasi, Mr. Yamin stated that the government has approved the covert BECE marking scheme developed by the major players in the education industry while Free Senior High School is in session.
