The Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has urged this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates to stay brave and determined as they work to gain admission at the Secondary and Vocation institutions in the country.

According to the sector minister, fear must not be entertained by any student as they begin their exams today, Monday, November 15.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum is optimistic that at the end of the period slated for the exams, the over 571,000 candidates will emerge victors.

“Your determination and talent will help you achieve success in your examination. Do not fear and keep up your effort. I have strong faith that you will rise and shine in your exams,” he stated.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has indicated that a total of 571,894 candidates are sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examination.

Per statistics, the majority of participants are males. About 287,605 males and 284,289 females will sit to write the exams.

Also, 18,028 schools in the country are participating in the examination.

The Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions presented 111,432 and 105,539 candidates respectively. In the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East Regions, 53,265 students are sitting for the exams.

The Northern, North East and Savannah Regions will host 44,838 candidates.

Meanwhile, 2,158 examination centres have been made available for this year's examination.