On Friday, December 17, 2021, the first National Standardized Test for primary-four students in public schools was administered across the nation.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), has released the regional rankings of the 2021 National Standardized Test (NST).
The NST, which aims to improve learning outcomes, was taken by 470,768 students from 15,391 schools across the nation.
The one-day exam was given in English Language (literacy) and Mathematics, and it was written in two sessions (numeracy).
In each session, the primary four students responded to 35 multiple-choice or objective questions.
200 students wrote the NST in each of the nation’s 2,850 examination centers. With time and the schools’ request, the test would eventually be made available to private schools.
However, the ministry of education has revealed that the next National Standardized Test (NTS) will be conducted for basic two (2) pupils in the various public basic schools across the country this academic year.
The National Standardized Test (NST) Regional Rankings in Ghana
| Ahafo | 1 |
| Bono | 2 |
| North East | 3 |
| Northern | 4 |
| Ashanti | 5 |
| Oti | 6 |
| Central | 7 |
| Savannah | 8 |
| Bono East | 9 |
| Greater Accra | 10 |
| Upper East | 11 |
| Upper West | 12 |
| Eastern | 13 |
| Volta | 14 |
| Western | 15 |
| Western North | 16 |
Meanwhile, the regions below are the regions with academically poor performance by pupils.
Percentages by them indicate students who failed the National Standardization Test (NST).
Percentage of Students who Failed the National Standard Test (NST)
| Volta | 96% |
| Western | 96% |
| Western North | 93% |
| Eastern | 77% |
| Upper East | 76% |