21 pregnant girls, 17 lactating mothers sit for 2025 BECE in Upper East Region

The 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Upper East Region has taken a concerning turn, with 21 pregnant girls and 17 lactating mothers among the 19,523 candidates currently sitting for the exams.

This revelation was made by the Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Nathaniel N-yaaba.

He noted that these figures represent only visible cases, suggesting that the actual number of pregnant and breastfeeding candidates could be higher.

According to Mr. N-yaaba, the total number of candidates comprises 8,842 males and 10,681 females, writing at 90 designated centres across the region.

He assured the public that the GES has made adequate preparations to ensure a smooth and incident-free examination process.

"We are committed to supporting every candidate, including pregnant girls and lactating mothers, to write their exams in a safe and dignified environment," he stated.

The GES has also cautioned candidates against any form of examination malpractice and appealed to parents to avoid crowding at examination centres, while providing the necessary moral support to their wards.

The participation of adolescent mothers in the BECE has sparked renewed debate over the welfare of young girls and the state of girl-child education in the region.

While stakeholders have praised the encouraging number of female candidates, they are also calling for urgent interventions to address the underlying issues of teenage pregnancy and early motherhood.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith