Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has extended his best wishes to candidates sitting for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, June 11, the Education Minister advised the candidates to trust in their abilities while giving their utmost efforts to succeed in the exams.

He also encouraged the participants to eschew engaging in malpractices.

“Today is a significant milestone in the academic journey of these youngsters. Learners numbering 603,328 students across the country will be sitting for the BECE from today. On behalf of the president, and on my own behalf as well as the people of Ghana, I want to wish them good luck and best wishes.

“A heartfelt encouragement to all of them and a reminder that they should remain calm, focused, and determined, and avoid all forms of examination malpractice. They have to believe in their own ability to succeed and to do that through the utmost effort and engagement,” he said.

A total of 603,328 candidates are participating in this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The candidates, comprising 297,250 males and 306,078 females, are from 20,395 schools.

In a statement issued by the West African Examination Council on Monday, June 9, the Council noted that the number of candidates that registered for this year's BECE (SC) is 5.99% higher than the 2024 entry figure.

The exam for both school and private candidates that was initially scheduled to take place from June 9 to June 16 is now slated to end on Wednesday, June 18.

The exam will take place across various centres nationwide under strict supervision by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

According to the Council, measures have been laid out to ensure that candidates with special educational needs are supported throughout the examination process.

“Heads of school, parents and guardians should rest assured that adequate provision has been made to ensure that no child is left behind as far as the examination is concerned,” WAEC said.

As done in time past, WAEC cautioned students and all stakeholders against engaging in examination malpractices to avert the cancellation of results.

These include having inscriptions on any part of the body or clothing, posting live questions on the internet, refusal to grant timely access into the school premises, misconduct of examination officials, and multiple registration of candidates in both public and private schools.

The Council added that the revised rules are available on its website, and as such, “Heads of school, supervisors and invigilators should ensure that candidates adhere to these new rules.”refusing timely access toOverall, 569,236 candidates participated in the 2024 BECE, comprising 282,703 boys and 286,533 girls from 19,505 schools.

Special accommodations were provided for 59 visually impaired candidates, 263 with hearing impairments, and 161 others requiring specific assistance.

The exam took place at 2,123 centres nationwide, though 3,845 candidates were marked as absent. The BECE for Private Candidates had 1,390 participants, 750 males and 640 females, taking the exam at 15 centres across the country’s regional capitals. Among them, 57 candidates did not show up for the exam.

Some 33 school candidates and 3 private candidates had their results withheld due to investigations into possible irregularities. WAEC also flagged subject results from 149 schools, pending further investigations into reported malpractices.

Following thorough investigations, the Final Awards and Examiners' Appointment Committee, at its 35th meeting on October 16, 2024, decided to nullify the subject results for 377 school candidates and 3 private candidates.

Also, two teachers were arrested in Jachie Pramso, Ashanti Region, over alleged examination malpractice, following the earlier arrest of three teachers and two residents in Bekwai.

To avert the cancellation of results and legal issues, WAEC has urged this year’s candidates and teachers to avoid engaging in exam malpractices.

“A heartfelt encouragement to all of them and a reminder that they should remain calm, focused, and determined, and avoid all forms of examination malpractice. They have to believe in their own ability to succeed and to do that through the utmost effort and engagement,” he said.