Five papers in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) have been cancelled.
A Deputy Director General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Stephen Adu confirmed this to citifmonline.com.
[contextly_sidebar id=”HBRjUBWDmv5KKOG5LCO48RaSAjPZGmIU”]The subjects are English Language 2, Religious and Moral Education 2, Science 2, and Mathematics 2 and Social Studies 2.
The Social Studies paper scheduled for tomorrow will not be taken too.
In a separate statement , the West African Examination Council (WAEC) explained that the said papers have been “compromised.”
The statement, signed by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the Council , Agnes Teye- Cudjoe further said “in addition to other sources, the papers have gone viral on social media especially Whatsapp messenger.”
French and ICT will however be taken as scheduled.
The papers cancelled will be written on June, 29 and 30, 2015.
The 2015 edition of the examination began on Monday with over 400,000 candidates from over 13,000 public and private basic schools participating.
Investigations
Meanwhile, investigations into the incident are in progress to unearth the full facts of the malpractice.
The statement indicated that “the Council is determined to follow the case to its logical conclusion and will not shield any person, including its own who will be found culpable.”
Invigilator arrested
On Monday, an invigilator at the Senya Senior High School (SHS) centre in the Central Region was arrested for allegedly carrying his phone into the BECE hall and taking pictures.
According to Citi News’ Magdalene Larnyoh, the teacher was arrested after “he was spotted taking photos with his mobile phone in the examination hall.”
Per the rules governing the examination, the invigilators are not allowed to bring in any form of gadgets or foreign materials.
Over 400,000 candidates sit for BECE
About 438,030 candidates from 13,434 public and private basic schools took part in the exams in 1,546 centres across the country.
Regional breakdown
A breakdown of the total candidates showed that the Ashanti Region was presenting the highest number of candidates — 87,815.
They are made up of 45,197 boys and 42,618 girls.
The Greater Accra Region follows with 78,436, made up of 37,915 males and 40,521 females.
The Central Region is presenting the third highest number of 45,900 candidates (23,936 males and 21,964 females).
The Western Region has 44,094 candidates that comprise 23,602 males and 20,492 females while the Eastern Region has 41,172, with 22,034 being males and 19,138 females; the Brong Ahafo Region also has 41,026 candidates who have registered for the examination; 22,278 males and 18,751 females.
Thirty-six thousand, two hundred and sixty-seven (21,019 males and 15,711 females) candidates will sit for the examination in the Northern Region while 31,267 candidates — 17,351 males and 13,916 females — are writing in the Volta Region.
The Upper East Region has registered 19,069 candidates (9,649 males and 9,420 females), while 12,521 candidates — 6,746 males and 5,775 females — will sit for the examination in the Upper West Region.
The examination will begin with English Language on June 15 and end with ICT on June 19, 2015.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah