In a significant move to enhance educational outcomes in Ghana, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced the expansion of the National Standardized Test (NST). The initiative, aimed at assessing and improving foundational learning, will now include learners in Primary 2, Primary 4, Primary 6, and Junior High School 2 (JHS 2) in all Ghanaian public schools.
The NST, which was previously conducted for selected grade levels, is designed to track student performance in literacy and numeracy, ensuring that pupils acquire the necessary competencies at each educational stage. By extending the assessment to four different classes, the government seeks to equip students with a strong foundation before they sit for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to the Education Minister, this expansion aligns with broader efforts to standardize learning benchmarks across public schools and provide data-driven insights to improve teaching strategies. The results of the test will help policymakers, teachers, and stakeholders identify gaps in learning and implement targeted interventions.
The NST is expected to play a crucial role in Ghana’s education sector by fostering accountability and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, receive quality education to prepare them for future academic and career success.
