A total of 53, 263 candidates, made up of 27,138 males and 26,127 females, from both public and private Junior High Schools (JHS), have commenced writing this year’s five days Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has indicated that a total of 571,894 candidates are sitting for the examination across the country. Per nationwide statistics, the majority of candidates are male.
About 287,605 males and 284,289 females will sit to write the exams. There are 18,028 schools participating in the examination, which commenced on Monday November 15, 2021 and will end on November 19, 2021.
The candidates will be examined on a maximum of nine subjects, which will enable them gain admission into the Senior High Schools.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Education Service (GES) for the Bono Region, Mr. Luke Mensah, told The Chronicle that there had been an increment of 3,540 candidates in this year’s BECE, because in 2020, the three Bono regions recorded a total of 49,725, comprising 25,800 males and 23,925 females.
Mr. Mensah said 2,130 invigilators had been deployed for the examinations, which were being conducted at 205 centers, with 205 supervisors and 173 assistants across the three regions.
According to the PRO, this year’s examination had an invigilator ratio of 1:25 candidates, compared to 1:30 in 2020. “That arrangement is the unique feature about this year’s BECE,” he said.
Mr. Mensah said the Bono Region presented 22,572 candidates for the examinations. The figure was made up of 11,209 males and 11,363 females. The PRO added that Banda District had the least number of candidates of 521, while the Sunyani Municipal had the highest of 4,253.
At the time of filing this report, it was not known whether there were any pregnant candidates in this year’s BECE in the three regions.
Meanwhile, the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has urged this year’s BECE candidates to stay brave and determined as they work to gain admission into the Secondary and Vocation institutions in the country.
According to the sector Minister, fear must not be entertained by any student as they write their exams.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum was optimistic that at the end of the period slated for the exams, the over 571,000 candidates would emerge victors.
“Your determination and talent will help you achieve success in your examination. Do not fear, and keep up your effort. I have strong faith that you will rise and shine in your exams,” he stated.
