The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has directed all pre-tertiary schools in Ghana to stop using assessment items and mock examination papers not vetted and approved by the Council. This directive, issued on August 7, 2026, aims to ensure quality and consistency in educational evaluation across the country. Schools that fail to comply will face appropriate regulatory sanctions.
This action follows NaCCA's observation of schools continuously using assessment materials developed by unapproved consultancies, institutions, and individuals. The Council, Ghana's statutory body for approving pre-tertiary assessment items, emphasized that no school can administer externally developed materials without its prior vetting and approval. This measure is crucial for upholding the integrity of Ghana's education system.
The directive fits into Ghana's broader efforts to standardize education and improve learning outcomes. The nation has recently implemented a new curriculum, and ensuring assessment materials align with these new standards is vital for its success. Previous initiatives, such as the national standardised test, also aim to identify learning gaps and improve educational quality. This move by NaCCA reinforces the government's commitment to a robust and accountable education sector.
Professor Samuel Ofori Bekoe, Director-General of NaCCA, signed the public notice outlining the directive. He stated that the Council's statutory mandate includes approving assessment items and tasks for pre-tertiary education. This makes the vetting process an essential requirement before any such materials are administered to pupils. The directive places direct responsibility on school heads to ensure compliance.
The immediate implication is that pre-tertiary institutions must now review all their assessment materials to ensure they meet NaCCA's approval. Schools found procuring or facilitating the use of unapproved materials risk regulatory action. This will likely lead to a surge in requests for vetting from NaCCA, potentially impacting the timelines for mock examinations and other assessments. Decision-makers in the education sector will closely monitor compliance and the effectiveness of this directive in standardizing assessment quality.
This policy change is expected to enhance the credibility of examination results and provide a more accurate reflection of student learning. It also aims to curb the proliferation of substandard assessment materials that may not align with the national curriculum. The education market, particularly consultancies developing assessment tools, will need to adapt quickly to NaCCA's stringent approval processes. This will foster a more regulated and quality-focused environment for educational assessment in Ghana.
The directive covers all assessment items and mock examination papers used in pre-tertiary schools, including basic schools. This comprehensive scope ensures that quality control is applied across all foundational levels of education. NaCCA's firm stance underscores its role in safeguarding educational standards and promoting equitable assessment practices for all Ghanaian students. The Council's actions are a clear signal of its commitment to improving the overall quality of pre-tertiary education.