Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, has denied rumors that the Basic Education Certifcate Examination (BECE) will be discontinued after more than four decades.
"There has been no discussion or policy to terminate BECE today or tomorrow," he emphasized. "This notion should be disregarded."
Rev. Ntim Fordjour disclosed this after conversing with BECE candidates at St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School in Accra.
The 2023 BECE began on Monday, August 7 and will conclude on Friday, August 11, 2023.
Accompanied by the Greater Accra Director of Education, Stephen Bamfo, to visit candidates, the Assin South Member of Parliament stated that "the West African Examination Council (WAEC) remains our partner in the development of education."
"We will continue to fund the WAEC so that it can continue to fulfill its mandate."
He described the supportive role WAEC has played over the years in the development of education in the country, noting that "occasionally, depending on their needs and the program they are running, we remit them funds."
The Deputy Minister bemoaned the few isolated infractions at a few examination centers across the nation, which he deemed to be extremely regrettable.
He stated that those responsible would be punished as a deterrent to others.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour reassured candidates that there is capacity for them in over 900 senior high schools (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions if they pass.