Come Monday, September 14, 2020 this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will start nationwide in all the 16 regions of Ghana and is expected to end on Friday, September 18, 2020.

According to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), a total of 531,705 candidates comprising 269,419 males and 262,286 females from 17,440 schools across the country are to sit for the BECE.

So far, 2,007 centres have been designated for the conduct of the examination.

Over the years WAEC has been warning candidates against examination malpractices but some recalcitrant candidates refuse to heed this advice as they relied on people who provide leaked papers instead of using their own efforts to write their examination.

It has, therefore, become necessary to keep reminding candidates of the dangers associated with engaging in examination malpractices to keep them on check.   

Addressing journalists at a news conference in Accra Mrs Wendy Addy-Lamptey, Head of National Office of WAEC urged candidates to apply themselves to their books ahead of the examination and cautioned schools, parents, teachers and invigilators not to engage in acts that would amount to cheating.

Mrs Addy-Lamptey has assured that all logistics and test items needed for the examination were ready and “all question papers have been produced under tight security under the surveillance of the Ghana Police Service and WAEC.”

The Spectator wishes to add its voice to that of WAEC by advising candidates to abide by all the rules from WAEC for the examination to run smoothly to the end. Do not cheat and avoid taking any foreign material to the examination hall. Stay away from illicit assistance popularly known as “apor” and be honest to yourself.

Bear in mind that you have come this far despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and to do something untoward which would warrant the cancellation of papers is not the best.

We are confident that your hard work and adequate preparation towards the examination, coupled with support from your teachers, parents, the government through the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ministry of Education (MoE) will go a long way for you to come out successfully.

Remember that examination malpractice is illegal and criminal. You have worked so hard so do not allow anybody to mar your future. Take care and abide by all the safety protocols.

We wish you success in your examination.