2023 BECE: Scripts of 22,270 Candidates Under Scrutiny

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the release of the provisional results for the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for both School and Private Candidates. The results for school candidates will be sent to their respective schools through the Metropolitan/Municipal/District Directors of Education, while the results for Private Candidates can be accessed on the Council’s website, www.waecgh.org.

In total, 600,900 candidates took part in the school examination, with 300,404 males and 300,496 females from 18,993 participating schools. This number includes 53 candidates with visual impairment, 366 with hearing impairment, and 54 candidates with other special educational needs. The examination was conducted at 2,137 centers across the country, with 3,366 candidates being absent.

For the BECE for Private Candidates, there were 1,839 candidates, consisting of 942 males and 897 females. The examination took place in fifteen centers, mostly in the regional capitals. Out of the total number of candidates, 61 were absent.

However, the Council has reported cases of irregularities during the examination and marking of scripts. As a result, the Final Awards and Examiners’ Appointment Committee for BECE, in its 34th meeting held on November 6, 2023, made the following decisions:

1. Cancellation of Subject Results: The results of 312 school candidates and 3 private candidates have been canceled for bringing foreign materials, such as prepared notes, textbooks, and printed materials, into the examination hall or colluding with other candidates.
2. Cancellation of Entire Results: The results of 41 school candidates and 1 private candidate have been canceled for possessing mobile phones in the examination hall.
3. Withholding of Subject Results: The results of 180 school candidates and 4 private candidates have been withheld for various suspected offenses.
4. Withholding of Entire Results: The results of 110 school candidates and 2 private candidates have been withheld for various suspected offenses.

Additionally, the scripts of 22,270 candidates in certain subjects are currently under scrutiny for reported cases of mass cheating. Depending on the outcome of investigations, their results may be canceled or released.

WAEC is cautioning all stakeholders to be cautious of fraudsters who promise to upgrade results for a fee. Candidates are advised to note that WAEC results are secure and can be authenticated.

The Council would like to express its sincerest gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, Security Agencies, Heads of Schools, Supervisors, Invigilators, Examiners, and everyone who supported the successful conduct of the examination and release of results.

Candidates can access their results on the Council’s website, and school candidates may also obtain their results from their respective schools through the Directors of Education.