2025 BECE: 21 pregnant girls, 17 lactating mothers to write exams in Upper East Region 

A total of 21 pregnant girls and 17 lactating mothers are expected to take part in the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Upper East Region.

According to authorities, the figures, which span nearly all 15 Municipalities and Districts in the region, represent only those who have been seen in schools.

“These are just the ones who are visibly pregnant, the ones we can see,” Mr Nathaniel N-yaaba, Upper East Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Bolgatanga.

“There may be others in the early stages of pregnancy that are not yet noticeable. Some of these cases may only become known during monitoring.”

Statistics from the Upper East Regional Directorate of the GES indicate that a total of 19,523 candidates, comprising 8,842 males and 10,681 females are expected to sit for this year's examination.

The figure includes 13 hearing-impaired candidates from the Gbeogo School for the Deaf in the Talensi District.

The candidates are drawn from 744 public and private schools and would write the exams in 90 examination centres across the region.

Mr N-yaaba emphasised the importance of the BECE as a key transitional stage into higher education and called on all stakeholders to effectively play their roles.

He noted that the GES, from the regional to the district level, was fully prepared to support and monitor the process to ensure a smooth and incident-free examination.

“Last year, our candidates in Bawku wrote the exams without any disturbances, and we are confident of a peaceful exercise this year as well. There is no cause for alarm,” he assured.

He urged candidates to refrain from examination malpractice, stressing that such behaviour could undermine their future success.

“We also appeal to parents to ensure their wards get to the examination centres on time. Support them at home as much as you can, but please avoid loitering around the centres. Attempting to assist them during the exams could land them in trouble if caught,” he warned.

GNA