Examining the Link between BECE Papers and Mathematics Curriculum Standards in Ghana

Abstract

This article seeks to explore the relationship between the implementation of the Ghanaian basic school mathematics curriculum standards and the nature of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). It covered the period between 1992 and 1999. Data for this research were collected from past BECE examination papers. The past examination papers were used to find out whether the BECE examination papers in mathematics reflected the curriculum standards. The examination papers were also used to find out whether the introduction of the mathematics curriculum standards has modified the BECE examination papers in any way. The result from the research seems to suggest that there is little evidence to prove that the BECE examination papers reflect the curriculum standards. There has not been any attempt to make any generalised claims from these finding in view of the limited period (1992-1999) this research focused on. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 3 2005: pp. 73-81