A recent inter-school quiz competition for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in Wa is set to enhance examination readiness and academic performance among participating private schools. The quiz, which covered past BECE questions from 2017 to 2025, challenged both students and teachers to broaden their teaching and learning approaches.
Mr. Ismail Salih, Headmaster of Wa Senior High Technical School, expressed optimism about the initiative, highlighting its potential impact on students’ preparedness. “Some students would not have attempted even one past question before writing the BECE. Covering nine years of questions compels them to expand their study and understanding,” he said.
Organised by the Wa Municipal branch of the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) and sponsored by Youth Placement for Employability Solutions (Y-PES Ghana) with support from Total Glory Bookshop, the competition drew 15 schools. The best five schools qualified for the finals held on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The finalists were Dan Ibu International School, Senior Victory College, FIC St. Louis, Tender Care Preparatory School, and Wa International School.
Mr. Salih praised GNAPS for promoting collaborative learning, noting that no single student could cover all nine years of past questions alone. He also encouraged the association to continue organising professional development programmes for teachers.
Mr. Asampana Issaka Agongo, Upper West Regional Director of the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA), underscored the role of private schools in expanding educational access, maintaining standards, and introducing innovation in teaching and learning. He described the quiz as a demonstration of private schools’ commitment to nurturing curiosity, intellectual growth, and creativity among students.
Mr. Sulemana Mumuni, Wa Municipal Chairperson of GNAPS, said the quiz aimed to assess students’ BECE preparedness rather than simply declare a winner. “The competition allows students to learn from each other. Mistakes made here can be corrected before the actual examination,” he explained.
Teachers also lauded the initiative. Mr. Albert Kangou, Housemaster of FIC St. Louis, described it as a wake-up call for both students and teachers to revisit overlooked topics and reinforce learning.
In the final results, Senior Victory College emerged first, followed by Tender Care Preparatory School, Dan Ibu International School, FIC St. Louis Educational Complex, and Wa International School in fifth place. Prizes included trophies for the top three schools, as well as exercise books, textbooks, and certificates for participants.
The competition is seen as a practical strategy for enhancing student engagement, fostering collaborative learning, and ultimately improving BECE outcomes among private schools in the Wa municipality.
