Education Minister calls for PTA reintroduction, standardized tests

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced the reinstatement of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) as a key component of school administration in Ghana. This move seeks to strengthen collaboration between parents and teachers to improve the quality of education. PTAs had previously lost influence after the government suspended PTA levies in 2019 due to the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. The minister believes that restoring PTAs will ensure active parental involvement in school affairs, fostering a more supportive learning environment for students.

In addition to reviving PTAs, the minister has also disclosed plans to expand the National Standardized Test (NST). Initially introduced in 2021, the NST aimed to assess the proficiency levels of students at various stages in basic education. Under the new initiative, the test will be conducted for students in Primary 2, Primary 4, Primary 6, and Junior High School 2. The goal is to familiarize students with examination settings early on, helping them better prepare for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and ultimately improve academic performance.

This latest development is not a completely new policy but rather a continuation and enhancement of an existing initiative. The NST was first implemented by the previous administration, with subsequent tests conducted in 2023 and 2024. The current government aims to build on this foundation by broadening the scope and impact of the test. With both the reintroduction of PTAs and the expansion of the standardized test, the Education Minister hopes to create a more structured and effective educational system that prioritizes student success and parental involvement.