BECE 2026: 'Any individual complicit in malpractice will be dealt with ruthlessly' - Education Minister warns

The Ministry of Education Ghana has issued a strong warning against examination malpractice during the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), following reported irregularities on the first day of the nationwide exams.

In a statement released on May 5, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, cautioned all stakeholders—including candidates, teachers, invigilators, supervisors, and school authorities—to strictly comply with examination regulations or face severe consequences.

“Any individual complicit in examination malpractice is an enemy of the state and will be dealt with ruthlessly,” the Minister warned.

The warning follows reports from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which confirmed seven cases of malpractice involving teachers and invigilators across the Central, Bono, and Ashanti regions on the first day of the exams.

The 2026 BECE, which began earlier this week, is scheduled to end on May 11 and is being conducted simultaneously across thousands of centres nationwide.

According to the Ministry, candidates found guilty of cheating—whether through possession of unauthorised materials, collusion, or seeking external assistance—risk having their results cancelled.

The Ministry further warned that any officials who facilitate or overlook malpractice will face strict disciplinary and legal action. These sanctions include dismissal, interdiction, and possible prosecution.

“Professional misconduct during national examinations will not be excused under any circumstances,” the statement emphasised.

The Ministry described examination malpractice as a “dangerous phenomenon” that undermines the credibility of Ghana’s education system and devalues academic achievements.

As part of efforts to deter wrongdoing, the Ministry referenced enforcement actions from previous years. Out of 40 individuals apprehended for facilitating malpractice in earlier examinations, eight have already been convicted and sentenced, while 32 cases are still ongoing.

“The eight convicted persons have automatically lost their jobs. They are unfit to be teachers and will be taken off the payroll of the Ghana Education Service,” the statement noted.

To prevent further infractions, the Ministry disclosed that it is working closely with key stakeholders, including the Ghana Education Service, West African Examinations Council, and national security agencies to enforce strict monitoring protocols.

A total of 2,303 examination centres across Ghana are under surveillance, with invigilation and compliance measures tightened to ensure the integrity of the process.

“Any attempt to compromise the integrity of the 2026 BECE will attract immediate and severe sanctions,” the Minister reiterated.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining fairness, transparency, and credibility in national examinations, stressing that upholding standards is essential to preserving confidence in the education system.

It concluded by encouraging candidates to focus on their studies and wished them success as they complete the examination process.