WAEC’s Warning Should Start at Home: Let Us Rebuild the Reading Culture

The latest WASSCE English Language results should concern every parent—not simply because of the figures, but because they point to habits that are formed over many years.

According to WAEC Ghana’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, the proportion of candidates obtaining grades A1 to C6 in English Language fell from 69 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026. He said the Chief Examiner’s report identified poor control of grammar, weak expression, errors in concord and frequent spelling mistakes. Many candidates also struggled to understand and analyse the texts they were expected to read.

Strong English is not developed through last-minute examination preparation. It grows gradually when children read, listen, speak, question and enjoy language as part of everyday family life.

This is more than an examination problem. It is a reminder that language develops through exposure and practice. Children who read regularly encounter new vocabulary, observe how sentences are formed, follow arguments, imagine unfamiliar situations and learn to express their ideas more clearly.

Parents do not have to wait for the school

Teachers carry an important responsibility, but schools cannot build a lasting reading culture alone. The home is where reading can become normal, warm and enjoyable rather than something a child associates only with tests and homework.

A family does not need an expensive private library to begin. Ten or fifteen focused minutes a day can make a meaningful difference. A parent may read aloud, invite the child to read one paragraph, ask what happened in the story and discuss the choices made by the characters. What matters most is consistency and genuine interest.

Five simple ways to raise a reader

1. Create a regular reading moment. Choose a realistic time—after supper, before bed or on a quiet weekend morning—and protect it from unnecessary interruptions.
2. Let children see adults reading. Children learn from what they repeatedly observe. Read a book, article or useful document near them and talk briefly about what you learnt.
3. Ask questions instead of testing. Try “Which character did you like?”, “What would you have done?” or “What do you think will happen next?” Curiosity builds comprehension without turning every story into an examination.
4. Combine reading with responsible screen time. A short educational video can introduce a theme; a related story can deepen vocabulary and understanding. Afterwards, talk about the lesson together.
5. Celebrate effort and progress. Praise a child for finishing a page, learning a new word or explaining an idea clearly. Confidence encourages children to keep practising.

African stories can make reading feel familiar

Children deserve stories in which the settings, humour, families, names and values feel close to home. Culturally rooted stories can help a young reader see reading not as a foreign duty, but as a doorway into a world that recognises them.

This is where Ananse Girl offers parents a practical starting point. The child-friendly website brings education and entertainment together through illustrated readings, educational videos, quizzes, games and family activities. Its stories are centred on African experiences and values such as honesty, kindness, respect, courage, gratitude, responsibility and wise decision-making.

Parents can read an illustrated story with a younger child, allow a more confident reader to explore independently, watch an Ananse Girl episode together and then use the lesson to begin a family conversation. The purpose is not merely to keep children occupied. It is to help them enjoy language while learning values that support life at home, in school and in the wider community.

A national concern needs a household response

WAEC’s comments should not become another brief news headline that disappears after a few days. They should prompt a practical response from families, schools, publishers, media organisations and communities.

If children are introduced to enjoyable reading early, supported patiently and given culturally meaningful material, they have a better chance of developing the vocabulary, comprehension and expression they will need long before they enter the examination hall. The work can begin tonight—with one child, one story and one caring adult.