620,141 candidates sit for BECE today

The 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has commenced across Ghana today, Monday, May 4, with over 620,000 candidates sitting the nationwide assessment under intensified measures to prevent malpractice.

The examination, administered by the West African Examinations Council, will run until May 11.

In total, 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools are expected to take part.

WAEC has issued a firm directive urging candidates to strictly adhere to examination guidelines.

The council warned that any individual caught engaging in malpractice—including the possession of unauthorized items like mobile phones—will face severe penalties.

Candidates have also been cautioned to conduct themselves appropriately throughout the examination period, as any acts of misconduct toward supervisors or invigilators, such as disruptions or assaults, could result in serious disciplinary action.

Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Ernest Kofi Davis has disclosed that officials previously implicated in examination malpractice have been barred from participating in this year’s exercise.

He explained that all supervisors and invigilators currently under investigation for their alleged roles in past irregularities have been excluded, as part of efforts to uphold the integrity of the examination process.

These measures highlight the commitment of authorities to protect the credibility of the BECE, a critical examination that determines students’ placement into senior high schools nationwide.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith