Apply appropriate tech to curb exams malpractices …Prof. Binka to WAEC

 A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sci­ences (UHAS), Professor Fred Newton Binka, has called on the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to explore the use of appropriate technology to curb the perennial reports of examination mal­practice in the country.

He said the use of advanced technology and robust systems was one of the surest ways of dealing with examination malprac­tice, and the council must begin to focus in that direction if it intended to protect the sanctity of its certificates and meet global standards.

Prof. Binka, who is also the former Dean of the University of Ghana School of Public Health and a Clinical Epidemiol­ogist, made the call at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Cherryfield Montessori School in Accra last Saturday.

He explained that with stronger in­frastructure in place, the council could prevent incidents like the recent situation where 86 mobile phones were confiscated from candidates during the 2023 WASSCE examination.

Furthermore, he noted that serialising questions and deploying advanced tech­nologies could help control and deter mal­practices across all examination centres.

He said it had become more imperative now than ever for schools to begin to embrace advanced technologies, and in­corporate them into the everyday teaching and learning.

Prof. Binka said modern technology had revolutionised the world, as such educational institutions must leverage it to enhance learning outcomes.

Touching on the phenomenon of brain drain that has hit the health sector in recent times, he said there was a direct link between high rates of graduate unemploy­ment and the exodus of health profession­als seeking opportunities abroad.

He expressed concern over the government’s inability to absorb these professionals, leading to a situation where graduates remained unemployed for up to two years after completing their education.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the school, Magdalene Dzifa Adzanu, highlighted the significance of digital technology in the education of young learners.

She emphasised the role of all stake­holders in shaping the development of the school children.

Madam Adzanu noted that Cherryfield Montessori was investing in appropri­ate technology in order to develop and harness talents of the students in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).