Title: Transforming Measurement and Evaluation in African Chemistry Education: A Competency-Based Assessment Framework for Higher-Order Thinking Skills and Evidence-Based Instructional Improvement.
Authors: EKPO, EKPO BASSEY, MFAM, EKAM EKARA, UNDORBUOYE, LINUS ITITIM, ITIUNBE, EMMANUEL LIBUE, ITIUNBE, GABRIEL U.
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 81-90
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
The continued reliance on recall-based testing in African Secondary School Chemistry classrooms has limited the cultivation of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) and weakened the role of assessment as a catalyst for instructional improvement. This paper advances a Competency-Based Assessment Framework (CBAF) that integrates the principles of measurement and evaluation to reposition assessment as a formative, evidence-generating process rather than a terminal grading exercise. Drawing on systems theory and competency-based educational design, the proposed framework emphasizes the alignment of competency descriptors with observable performance indicators, analytical rubrics, and instructional feedback loops. It conceptualizes measurement as the systematic quantification of learning evidence and evaluation as the interpretation of that evidence for pedagogical decision-making. Through a synthesis of literature, policy landscapes, and conceptual modeling, the paper argues that transforming assessment culture can empower teachers to make data-informed instructional adjustments, enhance learner cognitive engagement, and enable policymakers to institutionalize continuous improvement mechanisms. The framework positions African Chemistry education as a potential global reference point for assessment innovation, promoting South-to-South and South-to-Global knowledge transfer. By embedding evidence-based feedback cycles, digital assessment integration, and teacher assessment literacy, the proposed model contributes to a shift from rote-based schooling toward developmental, competency-driven science education capable of preparing learners for advanced reasoning and scientific problem-solving.