A total of 2,225 candidates in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono region will join other candidates across the country to sit for this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which kicks off on Monday.

Out of the total candidates, 1082 are males while 1,143 are females.

In all, 90 basic schools consisting of 72 public and 18 private schools are presenting their candidates for the examination.

The Wenchi Municipal Examination Coordinator, Seth Mensah, disclosed this in an interview with JoyNews during the final preparation of the examination centres. 

He said the examination would take place at ten centres, including Koase Senior High Technical School, Buoku, Nchiraa Senior High School, Subinso RC Basic School, Tromeso, Droboso Presbyterian Basic School, Wenchi Presbyterian Basic School, and Wenchi Methodist Senior High School, among others within the municipality.

The Wenchi Municipal Examination Coordinator further explained that 2,285 candidates sat for the examination last year, but the figure has slightly decreased this year by 60.

He urged the candidates to report to the examination centres on time and eschew all forms of examination malpractices.

He stressed, "Our candidates must remember that they are not allowed to send mobile phones, especially smartphones, to the examination centres, and even wristwatches are forbidden because most candidates use smart watches".

"We will create an enabling environment where our candidates do not feel intimidated, so they should come with courage to write the examination. 

"All they need to do is focus on what they have already studied and resist being swayed into believing that examination malpractice (Apor) could help them pass well. 

Candidates who engage in any form of examination malpractices will receive the appropriate sanctions without fear or favour," Mr Mensah added.

Mr Mensah appealed to parents to support their wards during this critical period by excluding them from household chores and providing the logistics and materials necessary to aid the candidate's successful completion of the BECE. 

He stated that the candidates in the Wenchi municipality will sit for six days in this year's examination, which commences on Monday, July 8 and ends on Monday, July 15.

The Wenchi Municipal Examination Coordinator explained that candidates who will write Arabic language will finish writing on the sixth day, Monday, July 15.