Four candidates have been caught cheating during the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) found the students engaging in malpractice on Wednesday morning. The incidents occurred on day three of the national exams.
These students were caught during a monitoring exercise. The head of WAEC and her team visited several test centres. Among those apprehended was a set of twins. They were exchanging answer booklets so one could write for the other. Another pair of students was found with question papers. These papers had solutions already written on them.
This discovery adds to growing concerns about exam integrity in Ghana. The BECE is a crucial exam for students entering senior high school. About 2,000 centres nationwide are hosting these exams. In 2025, similar incidents led to sanctions. These included the cancellation of subject scores for guilty students. The number of candidates caught overall has now reached at least 11 this week. This suggests a continued challenge for educational authorities.
A WAEC official described the breaches as clear violations of examination rules. The council stated that further investigations would follow. If the candidates are found responsible, their results for the Integrated Science paper will be cancelled. This is a standard procedure for serious examination malpractice. WAEC aims to ensure fairness and transparency in its assessment processes. Past cases have shown swift action against those found guilty.
The implications of these incidents extend beyond the individual students. They highlight the ongoing struggle to maintain the credibility of Ghana's examination system. Decisions on sanctions will set precedents for future cases. Educational stakeholders will be watching for the full details and outcomes of WAEC's investigation. The focus remains on upholding the integrity of the BECE for all candidates. This ensures a fair pathway to higher education for every student.