The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a total of 620,141 candidates have begun the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) today.
Out of the figure, 619,985 candidates are from Ghana—comprising 304,273 males and 315,712 females—while 156 candidates are from neighboring Togo and Benin, where schools follow Ghana’s curriculum.
The examination is scheduled to run until May 11, 2026.
Candidates are drawn from more than 20,000 public and private schools and are writing the exams at 2,302 centers across the country. Thousands of supervisors and invigilators have been deployed to ensure a smooth and credible process.
This year’s entry represents an increase of over 16,000 candidates compared to 2025, signaling continued growth in school enrollment nationwide.
Regionally, the Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of candidates, followed by the Greater Accra Region and the Central Region—underscoring strong participation in the country’s most populous areas.
Across exam centers, classrooms have been transformed into test venues filled with a mix of anxiety, hope, and determination, as candidates take a crucial step toward their academic future.
For many families, the BECE represents years of sacrifice and a gateway to the next phase of education.
WAEC says it is fully prepared to conduct the exams without disruptions.
The Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, urged strict adherence to examination rules by both candidates and officials.
“Briefing sessions have been held with supervisors to outline expectations and conduct. We have started the process,” he said, adding that logistics, including the distribution of examination materials, are ongoing.
He warned that any form of malpractice will attract severe sanctions as the council works to uphold the integrity of the examination.