Abide by rules, regulations governing examination— Education Minister

The Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has advised candidates writing the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to abide by the rules and regulations governing the examination and desist from any form of malpractices.

She also advised them not to entertain fear but rather comport themselves in order to sail through since it was the first step in their education.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was speaking to the media during her visit to some BECE centres in Accra and Teshie to assess conditions prevailing there.

She was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Director of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Mr Enoch Cobbinah, and officials from the Ghana Education Service (GES).

As early as 7:30 a.m., many candidates had reported at the centres waiting for the arrival of the authorities.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was impressed that adequate provisions had been made for candidates with eye problems, while those with special needs had also been taken care of.

About 438,030 Junior High School (JHS) candidates are taking part in this year’s BECE in over 1,000 designated centres across the country.

Centres visited

The centres visited were the Accra High School, Nungua Senior High School, Teshie Southern Cluster of Schools, Quaye Nungua and Nungua LEKMA 1.

At the Teshie Southern Cluster of Schools, one candidate out of 242 was absent while two candidates out of 354 were absent at the Nungua LEKMA 1.
There were makeshift health posts at some centres which were far from health centres to provide care for students in case of emergency.
Mr Ablakwa led a prayer session with the candidates before the start of the paper at the Teshie Southern Cluster of Schools.

He commended various stakeholders, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), for the measures put in place which had contributed to the smooth conduct of the examination.
Mr Ablakwa encouraged the candidates to be focused and deliver their best to attain good result. He also wished them success.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ledzokuku-Krowor Mrs Benita Okiti Duah, presented some educational materials to the candidates.

We hope for the best

At about 11:00 a.m., candidates had finished with the second part of the English Language paper.
Joshua Odai, a candidate from Harmony JHS, said the paper was “standard” and he was able to answer all the questions well.