Over 620,000 students sit for 2026 BECE

More than 620,000 candidates across Ghana are sitting for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which begins on Monday, May 4. The nationwide exam, conducted by the West African Examinations Council, will run until May 11, with 620,141 students from 20,395 schools taking part. WAEC says it has strengthened measures to curb examination malpractice, warning candidates to strictly follow all rules throughout the period. It cautioned that possession of prohibited items, including mobile phones, will attract severe sanctions. The council also warned against any form of misconduct toward supervisors and invigilators, stating that disruptions or assaults could lead to serious consequences. Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Ernest Kofi Davis, disclosed that officials under investigation for alleged involvement in last year’s malpractice cases have been barred from participating in this year’s exams. The tightened measures are aimed at safeguarding the credibility of the BECE, which plays a crucial role in determining students’ placement into senior high schools.