SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE COMMISSION FOR TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (CTVET), MR. ZAKARIA SULEMANA, ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 2025 CERTIFICATE II EXAMINATIONS FOR TECHNICAL STUDENTS

Distinguished friends from the Media,

It is both a privilege and a duty to address you today as we prepare to commence the 2025 Certificate II Examinations for technical students across the nation. This annual event is not merely a procedural requirement; it is a national milestone, reflecting our collective progress in building a competent, skilled, and confident workforce through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

This year, a total of 55,295 candidates are expected to sit for the Certificate II Examinations, comprising 40,339 males and 14,956 females. These numbers represent not only the scale of our national commitment to skills development but also the increasing trust that Ghanaian youth and their families are placing in the TVET system as a viable and dignified pathway for education and employment.

We commend all these students for reaching this important stage in their academic and professional journey. We also recognize the tireless efforts of instructors, school administrators, parents, and industry partners who have guided and supported them to this point. TVET is a collaborative effort, and the gains we are witnessing today are the result of shared responsibility and sustained investment in human capital development.

TVET and Socio-Economic Development

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The role of TVET in the socio-economic transformation of Ghana cannot be overstated. Across the world, successful economies are those that prioritize and invest in skills development. In Ghana, TVET is at the heart of our national development agenda. It is central to initiatives aimed at job creation, industrialization, and inclusive growth.

In line with government priorities and the Education Strategic Plan, TVET reforms continue to focus on three key pillars: relevance, quality, and accessibility. Our vision is to ensure that every Ghanaian youth has access to training that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to succeed in the 21st-century workforce, be it as skilled employees, innovators, or entrepreneurs.

The CTVET Certificate II Examinations serve as a critical mechanism to assess the readiness of learners to transition into the world of work or proceed to further levels of training. These exams are not merely tests of memory or academic achievement; they are a robust measure of competence, demonstrating the ability to apply knowledge to real-world tasks in sectors such as construction, welding, electrical engineering, fashion, catering, mechanical work, and many more.

The outcomes of these examinations have far-reaching implications. They shape perceptions about the quality of our TVET system. They influence how employers view the capabilities of our graduates. And they ultimately affect the level of trust that society places in technical and vocational education as a whole. That is why integrity and excellence in the administration of these exams are so crucial.

Upholding Integrity and Quality in the Examination Process

Distinguished friends,

As a Commission, we are deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards in the conduct of examinations. We understand that the credibility of these assessments is integral to the reputation of our graduates and the TVET system as a whole. A certificate that is earned through honest effort and rigorous assessment speaks volumes about the character and capability of the individual who holds it.

To that end, CTVET has instituted several measures to ensure the sanctity and integrity of the 2025 Certificate II Examinations. These measures include:

• Strengthened invigilation and supervision protocols at all examination centres to deter and detect malpractice.
• Serialization of examination questions.
• Real-time monitoring systems to track examination activities and ensure strict adherence to rules.
• Orientation sessions for supervisors and candidates to reinforce ethical conduct and examination best practices.
• Collaboration with national security agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, to respond promptly to any breach of protocol or suspicion of misconduct.

We are also deploying secure storage and transportation systems for examination papers to prevent unauthorized access or tampering. The integrity of the examination process is not negotiable, and we will take swift action against any individual or institution found to be engaging in malpractice.

Furthermore, our exams have been designed in alignment with our vision to have competency-based training (CBT) standards in our TVET institutions, ensuring that what is assessed truly reflects what has been taught and what is expected in the industry. This shift from theoretical to practical assessment aligns with our broader goal of making TVET more relevant to the demands of the labour market.

Test Serialization

As part of efforts to enhance the credibility and integrity of examinations, the Commission uses an innovation known as test serialization in our examination administration.

Test serialization is the process of generating different versions of the same set of examination questions, with variations in the order of test items, options, and answer keys on each candidate’s question paper. Essentially, candidates sitting in the same examination hall may receive the same set of questions, but these questions will appear in a different sequence across various versions of the test.

The main objective of test serialization is to eliminate or significantly reduce examination malpractices such as cheating and the leaking of questions. By randomizing the positions of questions and answers, the system minimizes the possibility of candidates copying from one another or relying on leaked materials prior to the examination.

Key Characteristics of Test Serialization

Test serialization offers several advantages that contribute to a more secure, fair, and effective assessment process. It makes it easier to assess students using different versions of the same set of questions, allowing for broader deployment across multiple examination centers. It ensures that results are consistent and comparable across all candidates while measuring the same content and learning outcomes.

Additionally, it encourages more effective teaching and learning by emphasizing content mastery over rote memorization. The serialized tests are designed to be easy to administer, as they maintain the same instructions, directions, and duration across all versions. This innovation also enhances fairness, strengthens test security, and protects the integrity of certificates issued. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of recurring leaks at examination centers and discourages candidates from relying on “apor” (leaked questions), scammers, and fake materials circulated on social media. Importantly, it upholds the validity of scores across all series of the test, making it possible to issue the same certificate to all candidates regardless of the version of the paper they received.

There are ten essential aspects of test serialization that every stakeholder should be aware of:

• All test series are based on the same test blueprint and content.
• Each version follows the same construct, format, and structure.
• The same questions appear in all versions but are arranged in different positions.
• Test items are grouped under the same thematic areas across all series.
• Instructions, directions, and the duration of the test remain uniform.
• All answer choices (alternatives) are the same but presented in varied positions.
• The correct answers (keys) are also the same but differently positioned in each version.
• All versions use the same marking schemes or scoring guides.
• Every version is administered at the same time and date across all centers.
• Regardless of the series, all candidates receive the same score interpretation, qualification, and certification.

Through test serialization, the Commission aims to strengthen public confidence in the examination system and ensure a fair and credible assessment process for all.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND TRAINING PROVIDERS.

The test serialization is being rolled out effectively again this year as part of the 2025 May/June Certificate II Examinations. There would be Six (6) series for each developed for each set of questions.

Finally, all the Core Subjects and selected Elective subjects of Certificate II examination papers.

A Call to Candidates and Stakeholders

To our candidates, I wish to say: this examination is a moment of truth, a chance to demonstrate your mastery of the skills and knowledge you have acquired over months and years of training. Approach it with confidence, honesty, and a commitment to excellence. Do not allow yourselves to be misled by individuals who may tempt you into acts that undermine your integrity and future.

Success in this examination opens doors. It enhances your employability. It builds your credibility. And most importantly, it adds value to your contribution to nation-building.

To our teachers, invigilators, and examination officials: you carry a great responsibility. The professionalism with which you execute your duties will determine the overall quality and credibility of the process. I urge you to remain vigilant, impartial, and consistent in upholding the values of the Commission.

To our industry partners and employers, I reaffirm our dedication to producing graduates who meet your expectations. Your feedback continues to shape our reforms, and your participation in the design and assessment of TVET programmes ensures their relevance and effectiveness.

To parents and guardians, thank you for your belief in TVET and for supporting your children through this journey. Your role in instilling values such as discipline, honesty, and hard work is vital to the success of these young learners.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we embark on this year’s Certificate II Examinations, let us remember that this process is not just an assessment, it is a symbol of Ghana’s ambition to rise through skills, innovation, and integrity. The TVET transformation agenda is alive and gaining momentum, and with every cohort that passes through these examinations, we are building the human capital necessary to sustain our national development.

I extend my very best wishes to all 55,295 candidates. May your hard work be rewarded, your integrity remain unshaken, and your future shine brightly as skilled professionals and change-makers in our economy.

Let us all work together to ensure a smooth, fair, and credible examination process—one that we can all be proud of.

Thank you, and may God bless our nation.