Greetings to you Honourable Minister. I write to you on the back of the dire situation final year students find themselves in across the country. I intend to suggest ways your outfit could help especially all WASSCE and BECE candidates write their final examinations in spite of COVID-19 threat.
In the first place, the exigencies of the times in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic would mean that we cannot afford to allow all of our precious children to return to school prematurely. However, the Education Ministry in collaboration with GES and WAEC could discuss the way forward as to how to enable final year students to undertake WASSCE and BECE without further hesitation.
Secondly, with the President’s decision to relax partial lockdown rules and recommendation for wearing facemasks, it should be possible to get the candidates to follow the health and safety protocols including social distancing in writing their final examinations.
Thirdly, Honourable Minister, the psychological and emotional trauma final year students in both streams are subjected to currently is incalculable. These are adolescents who are already experiencing emotional tantrums. At least, if the candidates know when they are likely to take the examinations it would reduce their worries and anxiety. Communication and information in this regard would be priceless and appreciated greatly.
Fourthly, for optimum safety of the candidates, thermometer guns could be sent to all schools across the country for regular test of temperature of candidates and other staff in our schools. Better still, all candidates could be tested before admission in schools to forestall any fears of spread of the pandemic.
Moreover, all candidates who are tested and declared COVID-19 free should be admitted to the boarding house since the continuing students could stay home till September 2020 to resume school. Thankfully, government has already undertaken disinfection of high schools around the country.
Finally, I recommend that strict social distancing and safety protocols should be enforced without fear or favour during the examinations to secure candidates.
Honourable Minister, I trust that should the above suggestions be taken into consideration, WASSCE and BECE candidates could write their examinations without any challenges and casualties. Thank you for your kind attention and favourable response.
Yours in service,
Signed
(CLEMENT ADJEI SARFO)
(THE CRUSADER)
