The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to urgently review the transportation system for examination question papers to avoid delays at examination centres across the country.

The directive follows an incident on Monday, May 4, at the Boako examination centre, where question papers arrived late, disrupting the start of the BECE. A total of 273 candidates from nine schools were affected.

At the time of the Minister’s visit, answer booklets had already been distributed. However, supervisors, invigilators, and candidates were still waiting for the question papers, while other centres had already begun the examination about 15 minutes earlier.

Expressing concern over the development, Mr Iddrisu instructed the GES Director-General to work with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to review the logistics surrounding the distribution of examination materials urgently.

“Ordinarily, candidates are supposed to be seated 15 minutes before the examination. However, I see answer sheets here without question papers.

“They are now on their way. We must therefore review the process of transporting examination questions to centres. Director-General, you sit on the WAEC Council, so we need immediate reforms,” he said.

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Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has stressed the need for significant investment in Senior High School (SHS) infrastructure as the most sustainable solution to challenges associated with the Computerized School Placement System (CSSPS).

He said expanding educational facilities across the country remains critical to easing pressure on the placement system and improving access to quality secondary education.

Addressing candidates writing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at Asawinso Senior High School in the Western North Region on Monday, May 4, the Minister assured students of ongoing efforts to support their transition to SHS.

He also encouraged BECE candidates to remain calm, noting that a nationwide sensitization exercise will be rolled out to guide them in selecting appropriate Senior High Schools.

Mr Iddrisu explained that addressing the recurring challenges in the placement system requires a deliberate expansion of infrastructure in SHSs.

“If we want to enhance the computerized placement system, we must invest more in education infrastructure: more classrooms, more dormitories, more laboratories, and improvement in the provision of learning materials and their quality,” he said.

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned that candidates who assault examination officials during the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will have their entire results cancelled and could be barred from writing future examinations for several years.

The caution was issued by WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, during an interview on Channel One News on Sunday, May 3, ahead of the nationwide examination scheduled to commence on Monday, May 4.

According to him, the council is taking a firm stance against examination malpractice and misconduct, urging candidates to conduct themselves appropriately throughout the examination period.

READ ALSO: Over 620,000 Students Sit For BECE Today

He explained that beyond assaulting invigilators, candidates found with prohibited materials including mobile phones would face severe sanctions.

“So for mobile phone infractions, you have your entire results cancelled. So any candidate who comes into the examination hall with a mobile phone would have their entire results cancelled,” he stated.

Mr Kapi further advised candidates to report to their examination centres at least 30 minutes before the commencement of each paper, stressing that no latecomer would be permitted entry once the bell signals the start of work.

He also warned candidates against bringing prepared notes, smartwatches, calculators or seeking assistance from persons outside the examination hall.

The 2026 BECE is expected to record a total of 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools nationwide, comprising 304,349 boys and 315,792 girls. This represents an increase of 16,813 candidates, or 2.7%, compared to the 603,328 candidates who sat for the examination in 2025.

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