A five-day workshop to develop an Assessment Framework for the new standards-based curriculum has begun at Blue Royal Hotel in Larteh Aheneasi.
The workshop is being led by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) with facilitation by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAI) and HEART with funding support from UK Aid and government.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Executive Secretary of Council, Dr Prince H. Armah stated that the Assessment Framework is an integral part of the broader educational system and curriculum which all primary schools will be implemented from September 2019.
The Assessment Framework will shift the focus away from just preparing learners to pass exams and will instead focus on making learners functional and conscious citizens support Ghana’s national development.
By ensuring that each individual learner’s progression is monitored throughout the academic year, the Framework will also ensure that the education system can systematically track progress.
It also makes it possible to identify areas of strong and weak performance so that all learners receive the support they need to succeed.
The workshop involves representatives from Ghana Education Service (GES), West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), National Teaching Council (NTC) as well as universities in the country.
There were also officials from the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), teacher unions and CSOs who will start by analysing the existing assessment framework in use across schools.
They will then identify what needs to be changed in the system to ensure that it is relevant for the needs of the new standards-based curriculum.
By the end of the workshop, a draft Assessment Framework will be produced which defines a broader and more nuanced way of assessing learners.
That assessment will reinforce the purposes and intentions of the standards-based curriculum and take our education system to greater heights, Dr Armah noted.