The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has disclosed that it will administer this year, for the first time, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School and Private Candidates, from 17^th to 21^st October, 2022.

WAEC revealed that the merger is due to the “consistently low entries” for the BECE Private Candidates over the years. It stated that a total number of 552,276 candidates from 18,501 schools will take the BECE for School Candidates at 2,023 centres throughout the country.

According to the Council, the entry figure is made up of 276,988 males and 275,288 females.

“The West African Examinations Council will administer the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School and Private Candidates, 2022 from 17^th to 21^st October, 2022. This year, two groups of BECE candidates (School and Private), will for the first time, take the examination at the same period.”
WAEC

The Council explained that the number of candidates that registered for this year’s BECE is 3.48% less than the 2021 entry figure of 572,167. In respect of the BECE for Private Candidates, it noted that some 1,132 candidates made up of 634 males and 498 females entered for the examination.

“The examination will be taken at 15 selected centres, mainly in the regional capitals. The number of registered candidates for this year’s BECE (PC) is 6.09% higher than the 2021 figure of 1,067.”
WAEC

Contained in a statement issued today, October 13, 2022, the Council assured members of the public that all appropriate measures have been put in place to safeguard test security and ensure that the examination is conducted successfully.

The measures, the Council stated, include the printing of questions in compliance with the Council’s security regulations, inspection and fortification of storage Depots.

WAEC issues measures to dissuade examination malpractices

Additionally, it indicated that there has been the creation of additional depots for the storage of confidential materials close to some selected centres to prevent the late start of papers at these centres as well as the early release of question papers to Distributors.

WAEC equally assured the provision of 24-hour guard for all storage depots by the Ghana Police Service, briefing of WAEC staff, supervisors and other examination officials. The examination body noted that there will be the presence of a “security officer at each examination centre, coupled with the deployment of additional personnel for the monitoring and inspection” of centres during the period of the examination.

With this, the Council advised candidates to be focused and alert for the activities of “examination social media racketeers” whose primary aim is to make money through deception.

“Candidates are also cautioned against engaging in collusion and other forms of examination malpractice, such as bringing in mobile phones and other foreign materials into the examination hall. Candidates are reminded that collusion can be detected in their scripts during marking and that the penalties for examination malpractice include Cancellation of Subject/Entire Results.”
WAEC

Meanwhile, the Council is urging all examination officials, including Supervisors, Invigilators, Distributors, among others, to comply with the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination and refrain from being facilitators of malpractice. It further wished all candidates success in their papers.

“Candidates are assured that with adequate preparation, adherence to instructions and observance of examination rules, they can pass their examinations without cheating.”
WAEC