The 2020 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has ended today, Friday, September 18, 2020 in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in the Western Region amid absenteeism, dropped out, pregnancies and strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
A total of 5,134 candidates, made up of 2,495 males and 2,639 females from 115 registered schools sat for the examination at seventeen (17) centres throughout the Metropolis.
The number of candidates who sat for the Exams from the public schools are 4,397 with 2,244 girls and 2,153 boys from 79 registered schools whereas a total of 737 sat from the private schools with 395 girls and 342 boys from 36 registered schools.
The Metropolis witnessed twenty-five (25) absenteeism, three (3) dropped out and some pregnant candidates who were bold enough to take the Exam.
In a visit to some of the schools by the Ghana News Agency, though Supervisors and Headteachers could not speak, it was observed that all the COVID-19 safety protocols were being adhered to especially, the social distancing protocol in the exam halls.
Speaking to Spice News in an interview on the general observation of the Exam, Rev Mrs Elizabeth Akuoku, Sekondi-Takoradi Metro Director of Education said, the adherence to the COVID-19 protocols was greatly improved throughout the period the pupils were in schools and during the period of the Exam.
She observed that children need support the most in these challenging times and therefore called on parents to encourage their children whilst at home to study and stay home as well as observing the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Rev Akuoku maintained that though teachers were doing their best to reach out to students, their efforts must be complimented by parents as well.
Master Emmanuel Ampofo, one of the candidates at the GSTS Center who spoke to Spice News thanked President Akufo-Addo and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for giving them the opportunity to complete their lessons and eventually taking the final exam.
He expressed the optimism that he was going to come out successful in the exam since they were adequately prepared for the examination with all fears alleviated.
Some of the students trooped to the streets amid dancing in jubilation and chanting songs of victory while others took off their school uniforms to depict that they have part ways with basic education.
However, one incident that was shocking to observe among the fresh leavers was when some of them were seen holding totapacks of alcohol with impunity.
Story: Seth Ameyaw Danquah
