Poor 2025 WASSCE  performance linked to withdrawal of past question support – Dr. Francis Adomako

The Ashanti Regional Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Francis Adomako, has attributed the recent decline in student performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to the government’s failure to provide past questions for candidates.

Speaking during a media discussion on the quality of education and the performance of the 2024 WASSCE candidates, Dr. Adomako disagreed with claims that the results represented the true academic capabilities of students.

“I disagree with the assertion that the current results are a true reflection of the students’ strengths,” he said. “The students did not even get the right past questions to solve.”

Dr. Adomako argued that past questions play a critical role in shaping student preparation and confidence.

“Past questions do a lot of things for students,” he explained. “They help students revise and try their hands on possible questions so that when similar ones appear in the exam, they are ready. Removing the policy of buying past questions puts many students at a disadvantage.”

He noted that many students come from low-income households and cannot afford supplementary materials on their own. “Some of these children cannot afford a square meal, let alone buy past questions. So if you stop providing them, what do you expect students who cannot afford them to do?”

Addressing comments that the poor results reflected weak instruction from teachers, Dr. Adomako strongly rejected that narrative. He urged the public to consider the difficult working conditions faced by teachers.

“Are they saying that in previous years we did not teach the children well?” he asked. “Teachers need to be motivated. Teachers are crying that the small monies due them are not being paid.”

He contrasted the situation of teachers with what he described as the generous conditions enjoyed by government officials. “Government leaders are being given huge salaries while teachers are given peanuts,” he said.

Dr. Adomako also referenced remarks from the NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, who stated that each constituency reportedly receives GH₵20,000 monthly. According to him, this highlights disparities in resource allocation while schools and teachers struggle with basic needs.