Weakness and Remedies

The candidates were unable to:

• state the differences between urea fertilizer and poultry manure;
• name other fertilizers that could supply the nitrogen in urea to the soil;
• state the disadvantages of using urea fertilizer in crop production;
• give the botanical names of Centrosema, elephant grass and tropical kudzu;
• describe the process of pasteurization of raw milk
• state the effects of the shortage of water on farm animals that produce raw milk;
• write legibly and concisely.

Based on the observed weaknesses, the Chief Examiners recommended as follows:

• Candidates should embark on visits to agricultural farms and agro-based industries;
• There should be intensive self-study and revision before the examination
• Teachers should lay emphasis on the scientific convention of writing botanical names of species;
• Emphasis on good handwriting among candidates should be buttressed during learning;
• Hands-on practical exposure and experience is advocated;
• Having a functional school farm should be made a prerequisite for writing Agricultural Science in WASSCE;
• Workshop should be organized for teachers to enable them update their knowledge and skills.
• Improved reading culture among students is advocated.
• Only graduates of Agricultural Science/Agriculture should be allowed to teach the subject in Senior Secondary Schools in West Africa.