Ghana's exam board defended using a popular rap song on student tests after facing heavy criticism. The West African Examinations Council asked students to find social problems mentioned in King Paluta's hit song Aseda during music exams. Officials said teachers prepared students for the question ahead of time. The council believes the song choice was fair and appropriate for testing purposes.
Education experts strongly disagreed with the exam board's decision. Dr. Peter Partey-Anti questioned whether all students had access to the song before taking their test. He argued that exam questions should stick to official textbooks rather than popular music. Parent groups also complained that language barriers made the question unfair to many students.
WAEC spokesman John Kapi stood firm behind the controversial question. He explained that schools received the song materials before exam day to help students understand the content. The official insisted that teachers could guide their classes through any difficult language in the rap lyrics.
The 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination ended Wednesday with Arabic language papers. Despite some minor problems during testing, WAEC praised how smoothly the exams ran across the country. The exam board maintains that using contemporary music falls within their teaching mission and helps connect with modern student interests.
Education experts strongly disagreed with the exam board's decision. Dr. Peter Partey-Anti questioned whether all students had access to the song before taking their test. He argued that exam questions should stick to official textbooks rather than popular music. Parent groups also complained that language barriers made the question unfair to many students.
WAEC spokesman John Kapi stood firm behind the controversial question. He explained that schools received the song materials before exam day to help students understand the content. The official insisted that teachers could guide their classes through any difficult language in the rap lyrics.
The 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination ended Wednesday with Arabic language papers. Despite some minor problems during testing, WAEC praised how smoothly the exams ran across the country. The exam board maintains that using contemporary music falls within their teaching mission and helps connect with modern student interests.
