The Mayor of Cape Coast, Hon. George Justice Arthur, has expressed deep concern over the uncomfortable and difficult conditions under which visually impaired pupils write the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), calling for the introduction of computers and assistive technology to support candidates instead of relying solely on braille.

During a monitoring tour of selected examination centres in the metropolis, the Mayor observed that visually impaired candidates continue to face challenges using braille materials, which he said can be stressful, slow, and inconvenient during examinations, especially in a competitive school placement system with fellow abled candidates.

According to him, technological advancement should make it possible for candidates with visual impairment to write examinations using computers equipped with accessible software capable of supporting their special learning needs.

“It is unfortunate that visually impaired pupils still have to go through such difficult conditions during examinations when technology can make the process easier and more comfortable for them,” the Mayor stated.

He advocated the adoption of modern assistive tools such as screen-reading software, speech-enabled systems, and specialized computers to read questions out for these marginalized candidates in other to help improve their examination experience and ensure inclusivity within the educational sector.

The Mayor further appealed to the Ghana Education Service and the West African Examinations Council to explore innovative ways of making examinations more disability-friendly.

His monitoring of the ongoing BECE took him to centres within the metropolis like Holy Child Senior High School, Mfantsipim College, Adisadel College, Wesley Girls Senior High School, University Practice Senior and Junior High before climaxing it at the St. Augustine's College.

Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis who was equally on grounds monitoring how the BECE examination was going at the Adisadel College, in his address, charged candidates to do individual work and eschew examination malpractices since GES this time around has wage war against any form of examination malpractices.

Sompaonline.com//Eric Annan