Former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum states the 2025 WASSCE results have declined. He argues this is due to a missing clear "education formula".
Dr. Adutwum explained that sustained success in education needs a deliberate plan. This plan requires data, consistent action, and ongoing academic help. He said that without a formula, things go wrong. He noted that during his time as minister, reforms used detailed data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
This data helped find learning problems in the system. WAEC reports were reviewed each year. They showed where students consistently struggled, especially in math and science. Dr. Adutwum stated that these findings were used to train teachers.examiners and subject specialists provided targeted help. This meant teachers could better prepare students for similar questions.
He added that more teaching time was introduced. This included structured extra classes. Teachers were paid for these extra classes. This extra time helped students understand subjects better. Performance tracking by region was also part of the plan. This allowed specific help for different areas. Education data was broken down by region and subject. This identified areas needing direct attention. Some regions struggled with chemistry, while others with biology. Interventions could then be specific.
Teacher placement issues were also fixed. In some schools, math teachers did not study math. Correcting this improved student performance. These combined efforts led to better pass rates over time. However, he worries some progress is being lost. This is because of changes in policies and stopping support systems.
Dr. Adutwum served as the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe. He spoke on Joy Learning TV's The Career Trail. He believes a structured approach is vital for educational improvement. He highlighted the cost of education reforms. These costs were managed through budgets for interventions and teacher training.
The decline in WASSCE results raises concerns about the future of Ghana's education system. It implies a need for renewed focus on evidence-based policies. Ensuring continuity in educational reforms is crucial for long-term development. The skills gap also affects the job market. Students need strong foundations to succeed in higher education and careers.