3,198 candidates sit for BECE in Agona West Municipality

A total of 3,198 candidates, made up of 1,553 boys and 1,645 girls from 114 basic schools, are sitting for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region.

Across the 13 examination centres, 6 absentees were recorded, comprising 4 boys and 2 girls. There is also 1 pregnant candidate and 1 nursing mother among the candidates.

Addressing candidates at one of the centres at Swedru School of Business last Monday, the Regent of Agona Swedru, Nana Kweku Essieni V, urged them to have confidence in themselves and eschew negativities that could ruin their future career.

He encouraged them to aspire to the highest level of education, emphasising the need to develop themselves into strong human resources for national development.

Accompanied by members of the Swedruman Council of Chiefs, Nana Kweku Essieni V noted that traditional authorities recognise education as key to development, hence their collaboration with stakeholders in the education sector to improve standards in the area.

He, however, lamented the growing challenge of single parenting, observing that it was affecting educational standards. He expressed concern about the welfare of children from broken homes, noting that the impact of divorce often affects school-going children.

Nana Kweku Essieni V also appealed to the Agona West Municipal Assembly to support the Swedruman Council of Chiefs in tackling the proliferation of gaming centres in the municipality, which he said contribute to school dropouts and youth delinquency.

The Headmaster of Swedru School of Business, Mr William Kwame Awumi, assured candidates that the school has a serene environment conducive for writing the examination.

He encouraged them to seek assistance when necessary to make their stay comfortable during the examination period, but cautioned them against engaging in unhygienic practices on the school compound.