GES Probes BECE Candidate Denied Over Late Arrival

The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has called on candidates writing this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to approach the exams with honesty and integrity.

“You can pass these exams in honesty and with integrity. And tomorrow, you will provide leadership for this country in honesty and with integrity,” he encouraged, during a tour of the Garrison Basic School examination centre in Accra.

Mr. Iddrisu led a high-powered delegation from the Education Ministry to inspect ongoing exams across several centres in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality, including the La Salem School and the St Paul Basic School. He was accompanied by the Minister for Defence, Dr. Omane Boamah; Deputy Minister of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Rita Odoley Sowah; Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education, Professor George K.T. Oduro; Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis; and La Municipal Director of Education, Habiba Kotomah.

During interactions with candidates and teachers, the Minister urged them to remain confident and focused, particularly as they prepared for the Mathematics paper.

“There’s always something every student can answer. Don’t waste time on difficult questions first. Do what you can best, then go back,” he advised.

His visit also shed light on broader issues. At the La Salem School, Mr. Iddrisu noted infrastructural challenges faced by both learners and schools. “The road I used to get here was bad. It shows the daily struggles some students face just getting to school,” he stated. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under the Mahama-led NDC administration, to invest in modern teaching and learning infrastructure to raise education standards nationwide.

The Education Minister also expressed deep concern over an incident in which a candidate was reportedly denied the opportunity to sit for the exam after arriving late due to an accident.

“There is a student who was involved in an accident and, upon arrival, was prevented from taking the exams. This would be a double tragedy—he has already endured emotional trauma, and denying him the opportunity to write the exams worsens it,” he lamented.

He directed the Director-General of GES to immediately investigate the case and ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken in line with the national assessment policies.

Speaking to the candidates, Dr. Omane Boamah advised them to be strategic during the exam: “Start with the questions you know best. Don’t get stuck on the hard ones. Come back to them after you’ve covered the easier ones.”

Ms. Sowah, who is also the Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon, encouraged the students to remain confident and resist the temptation of seeking external assistance. “You can pass this exam without cheating. Just believe in yourself and work hard,” she said.