Over 620,000 Candidates Sit for 2026 BECE Nationwide

Over 620,000 Candidates Sit for 2026 BECE Nationwide

May 4,2026

More than 620,000 candidates across Ghana are sitting for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which began on Monday, May 4.

The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council, is expected to run until May 11, with a total of 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools participating.

Authorities have introduced strict measures to prevent examination malpractice. WAEC has cautioned candidates to comply fully with all examination rules, warning that anyone caught engaging in malpractice will face severe penalties. The Council specifically prohibited the possession of unauthorized materials, including mobile phones.

Candidates have also been advised to conduct themselves appropriately, as any form of misconduct toward invigilators or supervisors could attract serious sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, Ernest Kofi Davis, revealed that officials currently under investigation for their alleged involvement in malpractice during the previous year’s exams have been excluded from participating in this year’s exercise.

The measures are part of efforts by authorities to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the BECE, which plays a crucial role in determining students’ placement into senior high schools across the country.