Organisers of a Basic School Assessment Contest have called on the government to re-strategize Ghana’s education system by shifting its focus from the traditional “chew and pour” method of learning to one that promotes critical thinking and problem-solving.

According to the organisers, the current system places too much emphasis on memorisation and passing examinations, leaving many students without the analytical skills needed to solve real-life problems.

Speaking at the event, a member of the organising team, Isaac Debrah, said the assessment contest was introduced to encourage students to understand examination questions and think critically before answering them, instead of relying on rote learning.

He explained that the initiative aims to nurture productive, innovative and problem-solving students who can apply knowledge beyond the classroom.

Seven basic schools participated in the contest, competing to demonstrate their critical thinking abilities and academic excellence.

The organizers expressed hope that the competition would inspire education authorities to adopt assessment methods that encourage creativity, understanding and practical application of knowledge, rather than the long-standing “chew and pour” approach.