Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament's Select Committee on Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has expressed grave concern over the Akufo-Addo government's prolonged failure to procure textbooks for basic schools, thereby hindering the learning experience.

In an interview with Kwame Minkah on TV XYZ's Dwaboase programme, the MP for Builsa South emphasized that this governmental oversight will adversely affect the performance of candidates in this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Dr. Apaak, an educator and legislator, voiced his bewilderment at the government's persistent inability to fulfill its obligations to publishers, leading to a refusal to print essential textbooks for students.

He described the situation as alarming.

"The government owes publishers and has failed to settle the debt, resulting in their refusal to print textbooks for the students… The situation is worrying," the legislator remarked in Akan.

He criticized the government for what he sees as a lack of commitment to enhancing educational standards in the country, specifically under President Akufo-Addo's administration.

"It is only under President Akufo-Addo that we are experiencing this," he asserted, arguing that the government is jeopardizing the future of the upcoming generation.

Despite efforts by the Minority to press the government to address education sector challenges, Dr. Apaak lamented the apparent reluctance of education sector authorities to resolve the textbook procurement issue.

Dr. Apaak's concerns coincide with the ongoing BECE examinations for Form Three students, which are crucial for their transition from Junior High School.

2024 BECE

According to the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the BECE includes 282,648 male and 286,447 female candidates, with 19,506 schools participating across the country.

The examinations are being conducted in 2,123 locations nationwide, supervised by 2,123 supervisors, 1,889 assistant supervisors, and 19,973 invigilators.