Ajumako: Three visibly pregnant girls are among 2,836 candidates writing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) which took off almost seamlessly in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District with no incident disrupting the exercise.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exams took place in a peaceful environment across nine centres where candidates from 110 public and private schools were registered to write. The examination started on time as materials arrived promptly, indicating an improvement in the conduct of the exercise compared to previous years. However, there were two absentees on the first day of the exams.
Before the exams commenced, Madam Sabina Aba Wilson, the District Education Director, Mr. Andrews Kojo Duodoo, the District Chief Executive (DCE), and a team of officials toured all nine centres to monitor the exercise and motivate the candidates. The DCE, representing Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Finance Minister, distributed 3,000 mathematical sets to the candidates to aid their examination efforts.
At the Ajumako Catholic Basic School Centre, all 399 candidates were present and started their work at 09:03 hours. The Enyan Denkyira Senior High Technical School hosted 28 schools with two Centres, 'A' and 'B', having 401 and 285 candidates, respectively, all present as of 09:06 hours. The candidates appeared generally optimistic about passing their papers.
For the Sunkwa Catholic Basic School centre in Etsii Sunkwa, materials arrived slightly late, pushing the commencement time to 09:15 hours. There were 12 schools and 284 candidates, including 156 males and 128 females. The centre recorded one case of pregnancy and absenteeism. Mr. Kofi Abotsi, the District Science Coordinator and supervisor for the centre, noted that all schools had conducted themselves well.
The atmosphere was calm at the Mando Secondary Technical School centre where 395 students from 18 schools were all present. Mr. Frederick Asante, the Coordinating Officer for the centre, noted that the exams started at 09:00 prompt, with one student experiencing stomach upset before the start but receiving prompt attention.
Mr. Alhassan Bukari, the supervisor at the Osedzi Methodist Basic School, informed that all 222 candidates from seven schools were present. At the Ochiso Methodist JHS, only one out of the 327 candidates from 12 schools was absent. Madam Janet Boamey, the centre supervisor, said their materials arrived at 09:00 hours, starting at 09:10 hours.
Bisease Senior High School had an incident-free first day, with two centres, 'A' and 'B', having 167 and 356 candidates, respectively. One case of pregnancy was recorded at Centre B. Nana Owusu, supervisor for centre A, reported that the exams had been smooth and peaceful.
Mr. Duodoo, the DCE, encouraged the students to work hard for their final exams, indicating it was the beginning of their future. He promised a special sponsorship package for candidates who would obtain aggregate six, motivating them to excel and make Ajumako District one of the best in Ghana.
Madam Wilson, the District Education Director, expressed satisfaction with the smooth process and encouraged all stakeholders to maintain their commitment. She advised candidates to stay calm and work independently, cautioning against cheating and promising to deal with any culprits.
Some students expressed confidence in their performance compared to their mock examinations. Ms. Selina Essuman expected to score aggregate 12 to make it to Senior High, while Ms. Gloria Appaah was hoping for a minimum of aggregate 14. "The work was easy, and we expect to come out with flying colours," said Ms. Appaah.