Mr. David Oppong, the Education Director of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, has added his voice to the growing call for a change in the scheduling of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Currently, BECE candidates are required to take two papers each day, leading to increased pressure during the exam period. This has prompted calls for the government and the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) to reconsider the structure.
During a visit to BECE examination centers, Mr. Oppong expressed his support for the proposed change. He praised the idea of having candidates write only one paper daily, believing it to be an excellent suggestion.
He emphasized that such a change in the exam schedule would not only provide candidates with more rest but also reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the exam process. Mr. Oppong urged both the government and WAEC to seriously consider implementing this modification, highlighting its potential positive impact on candidates’ performance and well-being.
This year’s BECE, which began on August 7, 2023, saw over 600,000 candidates participating, representing a substantial increase of 5.4% compared to the previous year. The candidates comprise approximately 300,323 males and 300,391 females from private and public Junior High Schools. A total of 18,993 educational institutions will partake in the examination, facilitated by 2,137 designated centers.
For Private Candidates, there will be an entry figure of 1,743 candidates, comprising 889 males and 854 females. This marks a significant rise from the 1,132 candidates in 2022.
The examination will be meticulously managed by a well-prepared team, including 2,023 supervisors, 1,816 assistant supervisors, and 19,384 invigilators. Fifteen centers, primarily situated in regional capitals, have been selected for the BECE for Private candidates.
The examination began with Religious and Moral Education and English Language papers, with students set to tackle other subjects in the following days, culminating in the French paper on Friday.
myinfo.com