How Parents Can Support Their Child's BECE Preparation at Home

As a parent in Ghana, you want the best for your child's education. With BECE being the gateway to SHS placement, the pressure is real. But here is the good news: there are practical, proven steps you can take at home to make a meaningful difference in your child's preparation.

Understand What BECE Actually Tests

Before you can help your child prepare, you need to understand what they are preparing for. BECE tests students across core subjects including Mathematics, English Language, Integrated Science, and Social Studies. The questions follow specific patterns and the syllabus has clear topic boundaries. Understanding this helps you focus your support where it counts.

Many parents in Accra, Kumasi, and across Ghana invest in extra classes without knowing whether those classes actually address their child's specific weak areas. Targeted support beats blanket revision every time.

Create a Consistent Study Environment

Your child needs a quiet, consistent space to study. This does not mean a separate room or an expensive desk. It means a corner of the house where they can sit comfortably, with enough light, minimal distractions, and a regular time slot dedicated to study.

Whether you live in Tema, Madina, Takoradi, or Tamale, the principle is the same. Consistency matters more than perfection. A student who studies for 45 minutes every evening in the same spot will outperform a student who crams for hours on weekends with no routine.

Monitor Progress, Not Just Effort

Many parents check that their child is studying but do not have a way to check whether that studying is actually working. Sitting at a desk with a book open is not the same as learning.

This is where tools like Olearna become valuable. Instead of asking your child "did you study today," you can see a clear weekly readiness signal that tells you whether their preparation is actually moving them forward. The difference between effort tracking and progress tracking is the difference between hope and evidence.

Focus on Weak Areas, Not General Revision

Your child does not need to revise everything equally. If they are strong in Social Studies but struggling with Mathematics, the priority should be Mathematics. Within Mathematics, if they are solid on basic arithmetic but weak on fractions and ratios, that is where the study time should go.

Olearna's scoring engine identifies these specific weak spots automatically. But even without technology, you can help by reviewing your child's school assessments and asking their teacher which topics need the most attention.

Manage Exam Pressure Responsibly

BECE creates real pressure for families across Ghana. From families in East Legon who want their child to access top SHS schools, to parents in Cape Coast and Koforidua who understand the importance of a strong aggregate score, the stakes feel high for everyone.

Your role as a parent is to channel that pressure productively. Encourage your child without threatening them. Celebrate improvement without demanding perfection. Make it clear that you are invested in their success, but that your love for them does not depend on their results.

Students who feel supported perform better than students who feel pressured. That is true in every school in Ghana, from Bolgatanga to Sekondi.

Use Extra Classes Strategically

Extra classes are common across Ghana, but not all extra classes are equal. Before enrolling your child in additional lessons, ask: what specific topics will be covered? Is this a general revision class or targeted at particular weak areas?

The most effective extra classes are those that address your child's actual gaps, not those that repeat the entire term's syllabus. If you know your child needs help with English grammar and essay writing specifically, find a tutor who specialises in those areas rather than one who teaches everything broadly.

Start Early, Not Last Minute

The most effective BECE preparation does not start in the final term. If your child is in JHS 2 or even JHS 1, now is the time to build strong study habits and identify areas that need attention. The earlier you catch a knowledge gap, the more time there is to close it.

Olearna allows students to take diagnostic quizzes that reveal their readiness level. Starting this process early gives you months, not weeks, to address any concerns.