Aims and Objectives
- knowledge and understanding of the historical developments and socio-economic importance of basketry
- creative skills and manipulative skills in designing and production of various forms of basketry based on societal and cultural needs
- creative and manipulative skills in designing and production of various forms of basketry by employing the traditions and cultures of the society
- skills in the making, decoration and finishing of basketry articles
- knowledge of how to plan and establish a sustainable small-scale industry
- knowledge of appreciation and evaluation of basketry
Scheme of Examination
There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2, and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.
PAPER 1: Will consist of forty multiple choice objective questions, all of which must be answered within 50 minutes for 40 marks.
PAPER 2: Will consist of six essay-type questions. Candidates will be required to answer four questions within 2 hours for 60 marks.
PAPER 3: Will be two practical projects, out of which candidates will execute one within five days, working for six hours each of the days. The paper will carry 80 marks.
The question papers will be sent to the candidates two weeks before the execution period for candidates to study. Designing sketches and preparatory notes should also be done within two weeks prior to the execution of the project. These will carry 20 marks. The total mark for the paper is, therefore, 100.
The course in Basketry includes a study of the historical development and socio-cultural and economic significance of basketry as an art and vocation. Basketry also covers the preparation, care and use of materials and various techniques for designing and making of articles of functional and aesthetic values to satisfy identified needs. Candidates also are expected to have acquired and applied knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship.
Detailed Basketry Syllabus
- Meaning And Scope Of Basketry
Area covered in Basketry: coiled work, woven articles, frameworks, macrame etc.
- Making articles such as baskets, hats, mats, nets, couches, footwear, cots etc.
- Characteristics of materials and tools. Designing and making articles such as baskets, hats, mats, nets, couches, footwear, cots etc., using techniques of weaving, plaiting, coiling and stitching, knotting, and construction.
- Combining with other materials such as cowries, gourd, beads etc. to produce rattle, macramé etc
- Rationale For Studying Basketry
- Creative use of new materials for making articles of cultural, functional and aesthetic value
- Skills acquisition for employment and further studies
- Tourism promotion
- History, Social, Cultural And Economic Importance
- History – Origin of basketry
- Social – Social use of basketry eg. Entertainment etc.
- Cultural – Cultural importance of basketry
- Economics – Economic importance of basketry in society eg. agriculture, and commerce.
- Places, People And Basketry
- Contribution of people and places to basketry.
- Competencies And Attitudes
- Knowledge, Creative thinking, skill and values for employment e.g. weaving, designing etc.
- Tolerance, diligence, honesty, commitment etc.
- Communication skills, time management etc.
- Preparation Of Materials.
- Skills and techniques for preparation e.g. drying, wetting.Storage and care of materials (chemical and non-chemical methods). Preservation of sources of materials e.g. ecology, bush burning etc.
- Discovering characteristics of materials and their uses in the making of articles
- Tools and Their Uses
- Category of tools, Description and Uses.
- Drawing and labeling.
- Improvisation
- Care/Maintenance and Safety precautions.
- Elements of Design
- Identifying the elements and principles of design in the environment: dot, line, shape etc
- Creating the elements using appropriate techniques of knotting, weaving etc. eg. bead or knot for a dot and waling for texture.
- 12-point colour wheel.
- Ghanaian colour concept and symbolism.
- Principles Of Design
- Identifying the elements of design in the environment eg. unity, balance, proportion, repetition etc.
- Creating the Principles of design using appropriate techniques e.g. spraying, scorching, weaving etc.
- Basic Design and Technology
- Definition of design.
- Idea creation and design by drawing from memory, imagination and observation.
- Use of appropriate techniques, tools and materials.
- Designing Articles To Suit Specific Needs
- Designing an article by hand or computer, making articles to satisfy specific needs using techniques in weaving, knotting, plaiting, coiling and stitching, framing etc.
- Criteria for appreciation and evaluation eg. Appropriate material, colour, technique, finishing etc.
- Sustainable Development Of Basketry
- Exploring strategies of sustainable sources of raw materials eg. Re-afforestation, waste management etc.
- Challenges – Identifying and seeking solutions to problems associated with the industry eg. competition with plastic products, material acquisition etc.
- Solution- Formation of co-operatives, remaining competitive.
- Decoration And Finishing
- Definition of Decoration
- Definition of Finishing.
- Processes of Decoration eg. use of coloured and uncoloured weavers, weave variations, scorching, spraying and use of complementary objects etc.
- Processes of finishing e.g., wrapping, binding, singeing, tying, trimming, lashing, bending, gluing, sanding, varnishing, lacquering, embroidering, sealing, borders etc.
- Entrepreneurial Skills In Practice
Portfolio e.g., prints, photos, CDs, DVDs etc.
- Business Plan
- Meaning
- Purpose for business plan
- Steps towards business organization eg. registration of business, capital, location of set-up, materials and tools, market survey etc.
- The Business
- Capital eg. bank loan, co-operatives etc.
- Exhibition – Types eg. general; specialized.
- Business Promotion
- eg. billboard, internet, print media, TV, radio, handbills, posters etc.
- Entrepreneurial skills.
- Packaging and Handling
- definition of
- function of
- disadvantages of
- types of packaging – primary, secondary and tertiary packaging.
- Costing and Pricing
- variable cost
- fixed cost
- profit.
- Factors of Price Determination.
Download Complete PDF
The full Basketry topic list is in text above. Use the buttons below to download the official WAEC PDF for offline use — one file for school candidates (WASSCE) and one for private candidates (GCE).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Basketry WAEC syllabus the same for SSCE and GCE candidates?
Yes. WAEC uses the same Basketry syllabus for both SSCE (school) and GCE (private/external) candidates, so the topics, aims and scheme of examination are identical.
What does the Basketry WAEC syllabus contain?
The Basketry syllabus sets out the aims and objectives, the scheme of examination (papers, duration and marks) and the detailed list of topics and subtopics that your exam questions are drawn from.
Is the Basketry syllabus the same in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia?
Yes. WAEC standardises the Basketry syllabus across all member countries, so candidates in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia study the same content.
Can I download the Basketry WAEC syllabus as a PDF?
Yes. You can download the complete Basketry WAEC syllabus as a PDF using the SSCE and GCE download buttons above. The PDF works offline for both internal (SSCE) and external (GCE) candidates.
Is this the latest Basketry WAEC syllabus for 2026?
Yes. This is the current Basketry syllabus, covering the May/June, Nov/Dec and Jan/Feb WASSCE cycles. It was last reviewed on December 12, 2024.
How should I use the Basketry syllabus to prepare for WAEC?
Work through every topic in the detailed syllabus above, match each topic to past questions, and use the aims and objectives to understand the skills examiners reward. Cover the whole syllabus, since WAEC sets questions from across all topics.