Government through The Ministry of Education is expected to import thousands of Scientific Mathematical Instrument for WAEC examinations in Ghana.
The Ministry of Education entered into an agreement with Messrs BLUEGRASS Group Limited (The Supplier) to supply about 853,009 units of Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instruments at the unit cost of GH¢75 to the Ghana WAEC to assist it credible conduct examinations.
The Kapek Scientific Mathematical Instrument is built as a non-programmable calculator with over 400 basic mathematic functions, formulas and symbols for fast and easy computation.
On justification of the tax waiver of Import Duty, Import NHIL, Levy GETFund, Import VAT, EXIM Levy and Special Import Levy amounting to the Ghana Cedi equivalent of Three Million, Two Hundred Thousand and Fourteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight United States Dollars (US$ 3,214,538.00), The Finance Committee Report of parliament observed that there has been an increase in malpractices in public examinations especially WAEC examinations in the country.
It stressed the point that, “Students are resorting to cheating and committing examination malpractices”.
In order to address this menace, WAEC has resolved to supply students with prescribed mathematical sets, scientific calculators, and time kits. This WAEC believes will help prevent students from entering examination centers with foreign materials and unauthorized gadgets/instruments.
The Committee was informed that this policy is being used by Nigeria WAEC and it has helped to reduce examination malpractices in Nigeria.
And, “in order to successfully implement the project, there is the need to waive taxes and duties applicable”.
The House therefore gave the Ministry of the Education the green light.
Contributing to the report, The Former Deputy Minister of Education and MP for North Tongu was worried about the fact that, Government has supported the Ministry to import “these simple mathematical instrument” from outside.
According to him, “We have local companies who have designed mathematical instrument and gave us samples as MPs for consideration for our constituents”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa again, questioned the Gh¢75.00 unit cost and raised concerns about so-sourcing procurement methodology adopted by the Education Ministry.
