Over 620,000 students sit for BECE today

More than 620,000 candidates across Ghana are set to begin the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination on Monday, May 4, as authorities tighten measures to curb malpractice.

The nationwide examination, conducted by the West African Examinations Council, will run until May 11, with 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools expected to participate.

WAEC says it is taking a firm stance against examination malpractice, warning candidates to adhere strictly to the rules throughout the period.

“Candidates found engaging in any form of malpractice will face severe sanctions,” an official said, stressing that possession of prohibited materials, including mobile phones, will not be tolerated.

The council also cautioned against misconduct toward supervisors and invigilators, noting that assault or disruption could lead to serious consequences.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, said officials implicated in past malpractice cases will not take part in this year’s exams.

“All supervisors and invigilators under investigation for their alleged involvement in last year’s BECE have been barred from participating,” he said.

The measures come as authorities seek to protect the integrity of the BECE, a key national examination that determines placement into senior high schools.