Asawinso: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has visited the Asawinso Senior High School Centre in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality to observe the commencement of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The Asawinso Centre, identified as one of the emerging hotspots for examination malpractices, has 311 candidates from nine schools registered for this year's exams.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Iddrisu stated that his visit was to assess the conduct of the examinations outside Accra, focusing on the arrival of materials, supervision, and the state of educational infrastructure. He urged candidates to give their best effort and avoid engaging in malpractices. The Minister also revealed plans to review the Computerised School Selection and Placement System to allow candidates to choose their schools after completing their examinations.
Meanwhile, Mr John K. Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) National Office, reported that a total of 619,985 candidates were expected to sit for the BECE from May 4 to 11, 2026. Of these candidates, 304,273 are males and 315,712 are females, drawn from 20,784 schools across the country. Candidates will be examined in eleven subjects at 2,302 centres nationwide.
Mr Kapi reminded candidates that examination rules remained unchanged, emphasizing that no candidates should arrive late to examination halls. He also stressed that candidates must not bring mobile phones or electronic devices, including smart watches, into examination halls. The Minister's visit is part of efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of the BECE and to strengthen measures against examination malpractices in the Western North Region.