The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has recently announced the release of the provisional results for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in West Africa.

The BECE covers a wide range of subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the core subjects and their ability to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.

WAEC revealed that the results for school candidates will be sent to their respective schools through the Metropolitan/Municipal/District Directors of Education.

On the other hand, private candidates can access their results on the Council’s official website www.waecgh.org. The statement, dated November 9, 2023, and signed by the Head of Public Affairs of WAEC, John Kapi, said.

“School candidates who desire may also access their results online at the Council’s website.”

John Kapi

2023 BECE Statistics

A grand total of 600,900 individuals took part in the school examination, with an equal number of males and females from a total of 18,993 schools. Among them, there were 53 visually impaired candidates, 366 with hearing impairments, and 54 with other special educational needs.

The examination was held at 2,137 centers throughout Ghana. However, 3,366 candidates did not show up for the exam. On the other hand, the BECE for Private Candidates had a total of 1,839 participants, consisting of 942 males and 897 females.

The exam took place at fifteen centers, mainly in the regional capitals. Among the participants, 61 were absent.

WAEC also revealed that the papers of 22,270 individuals in certain subjects are presently being withheld as they undergo investigation due to allegations of widespread cheating.

The statement disclosed that the results of the investigations could be either cancelled or disclosed, depending on the outcome.

Objective-Based Curriculum Phasing Out

The 2023 candidates were final group of junior high school students to be taken through the BECE using the Objective Based Curriculum. The upcoming group of form three JHS students who are currently studying the Standard Based Curriculum will be the first to write the BECE with this curriculum in July of next year.

In January, the Ghana Education Service instructed basic school heads not to hold back any students from last year’s JHS 2 class from progressing to JHS 3. A letter from January 17, 2023, signed by Deputy Director General Dr. Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, stated that this year’s JHS 3 students, who just completed their studies, were the last group to have use the Objective-Based Curriculum and will take the BECE this year.