WAEC Releases Maiden BECE Results Under Common Core Curriculum; 42 Candidates’ Results Cancelled

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | October 21| WAEC Releases Maiden BECE Results Under Common Core Curriculum; 42 Candidates’ Results Cancelled

WAEC has released the first BECE results under the Common Core Curriculum, with 42 candidates’ results cancelled for examination malpractices. A total of 569,236 candidates took the exam.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially announced the results of the maiden Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) conducted under the Common Core Curriculum. The announcement, which was made on October 16, 2024, revealed that results of 42 candidates have been cancelled for various examination malpractices, including taking foreign materials into the examination hall and collusion.

Breakdown of the Cancellations and Withheld Results

The 42 candidates whose results were cancelled comprise 41 school candidates and one private individual. Additionally, the subject results of 377 school candidates and three private candidates have been cancelled due to similar offences.

Moreover, the results of 33 school candidates and three private candidates have been withheld pending further investigations. Some subject results from 149 schools have also been withheld due to reported irregularities. The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, noted that the outcomes of these investigations will determine whether the withheld results will be released or permanently cancelled.

Addressing Examination Malpractices

These measures come after WAEC’s Final Awards and Examiners’ Appointment Committee, during its 35th meeting, concluded investigations into various irregularities that occurred during the BECE 2024 examination process. The council emphasized the need to uphold the integrity of the examinations by taking decisive action against any breaches.

Statistics on the 2024 BECE

This year’s BECE saw a total of 569,236 candidates from 19,505 schools across 2,123 examination centers nationwide. Among the candidates, 282,703 were males and 286,533 were females. The cohort included 59 candidates with visual impairments, 263 with hearing impairments, and 161 with other special needs. Despite the large number of candidates, 3,845 students were absent from the exams.

For the BECE for Private Candidates, a total of 1,390 candidates registered, comprising 750 males and 640 females. The examination was conducted in 15 centers, mostly located in regional capitals, with five candidates absent.

Next Steps for Candidates

The WAEC has initiated the process of dispatching results to candidates’ respective schools through metropolitan, municipal, or district directors of education. Private candidates can access their results directly from WAEC’s official website at www.waecgh.org, while school candidates can also view their results online.

Caution Against Fraudsters

The council cautioned candidates and stakeholders to be wary of fraudsters who may claim to have the ability to upgrade results for a fee. WAEC assured that all results are secure and can be authenticated.

2024/2025 Academic Year Begins October 30

In a related announcement, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has set the start date for the 2024/2025 academic year as October 30, 2024. The new academic calendar includes the reopening of first-year students in single-track and transitional schools, as well as second-year students on the transitional calendar. This move aims to restore the academic calendar to its pre-COVID-19 era, where the school year began in the last quarter.

The adjusted reopening date is expected to enable final-year students to sit for the 2025/2026 WASSCE in May/June, thus realigning the educational calendar with traditional schedules.

Conclusion

The release of the 2024 BECE results under the Common Core Curriculum marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s educational system. WAEC’s proactive measures to tackle examination malpractices serve as a strong reminder of the need for integrity in the education sector. As the 2024/2025 academic year approaches, the structured schedule promises to offer stability and ample preparation time for both BECE and WASSCE candidates.