Education think tank Africa Education Watch has reiterated calls for a restructuring of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), describing the current one as “torture”.

Taking to his official Facebook page on Thursday, May 7, the Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, slammed the system as archaic, questioning the logic behind examining candidates in 10 subjects over 5 days to determine their school placements, proposing that the number of examinable subjects be reduced to four core areas.

“Piling 10 subjects over a 5-day high-stakes BECE just for sch placement is torture on learners. Reduce to 4 subjects: Math, English, Science & General Paper” parts of his statement read.

He went on to recommend the adoption of aptitude tests and content assessments as alternatives to the traditional means used over the years.

“ Others even use an aptitude test plus a content assessment. This is 2026, not 1996,” he added.

According to him, the arrangement is outdated and does not reflect modern assessment systems used in other countries, where aptitude tests and continuous assessment are incorporated into placement processes.

His comments come amid the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination, during which more than 10 students and invigilators have reportedly been arrested over examination malpractice.

The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council, is expected to run until May 11, with 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools participating.