Bolgatanga: A total of 21 pregnant girls and 17 lactating mothers are expected to take part in the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Upper East Region. According to authorities, the figures, which span nearly all 15 Municipalities and Districts in the region, represent only those who have been seen in schools.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Nathaniel N-yaaba, the Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), highlighted that these numbers include those who are visibly pregnant. He mentioned that there might be others in the early stages of pregnancy that are not yet noticeable, and some of these cases may only become known during monitoring.
Statistics from the Upper East Regional Directorate of the GES indicate that a total of 19,523 candidates, comprising 8,842 males and 10,681 females, are expected to sit for this year’s examination. The figure includes 13 hearing-impaired candidates from the Gbeogo School for the Deaf in the Talensi District. The candidates are drawn from 744 public and private schools and will write the exams in 90 examination centres across the region.
Mr. N-yaaba emphasised the importance of the BECE as a key transitional stage into higher education and called on all stakeholders to effectively play their roles. He noted that the GES, from the regional to the district level, was fully prepared to support and monitor the process to ensure a smooth and incident-free examination.
He assured that last year, candidates in Bawku wrote the exams without any disturbances, and expressed confidence in a peaceful exercise this year as well. He urged candidates to refrain from examination malpractice, stressing that such behaviour could undermine their future success.
Finally, he appealed to parents to ensure their wards arrive at the examination centres on time and to support them at home. However, he cautioned against loitering around the centres and attempting to assist the candidates during the exams, as this could lead to trouble if caught.