Two students taking the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Nkwanta South Municipality, Oti Region, were injured in a motorbike accident. The incident happened as they were travelling to their examination centre. They later returned to sit for their papers after receiving medical treatment.
The candidates were heading to their exam venue from their homes. The accident occurred amid existing security concerns in the Nkwanta South area. Both students were taken to St. Joseph Catholic Hospital for immediate care. After treatment, they were transported back to the examination centre. Despite their injuries, the students demonstrated strong resolve by joining their classmates to write the examination papers.
This situation highlights broader challenges for education in Ghana. Insecurity has been a recurring problem in the Oti Region. This has led to parents being hesitant to let their children stay at examination centres. As a result, many candidates travel from home daily. This increases risks during their commute. The decline in BECE results in recent years is a serious concern for the municipality. This decline is linked to disrupted school attendance and pupil preparedness due to the instability.
Jonathan Korsinah, the Municipal Education Director for Nkwanta South, confirmed the incident. He explained that under normal circumstances, candidates are usually housed closer to their examination centres. This practice aims to minimize risks like travel accidents. However, the current security situation prevents this. He stated, "In the normal case, they should have been camped nearby, but due to the insecurity, parents are not confident leaving their wards, so most of them travel from home, and these challenges are bound to happen." Examination regulations do not allow papers to be taken to hospitals. This meant the injured candidates had to return to the centre to write.
Mr. Korsinah also voiced concerns about the cumulative effect of insecurity on academic outcomes. He noted that school attendance has suffered significantly. This disruption affects students' readiness for examinations. He mentioned, "Last year, performance dropped sharply because many children were unable to attend school regularly due to the situation." Even with increased security presence, including military and police forces, students remain fearful. This fear impacts their concentration during exams, further affecting their performance. The authorities are working to ensure safety, but the psychological impact on students is a persistent issue.