The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to prohibit learners who have not progressed to Junior High School (JHS) Form 3, from registering for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

According to the Minister, the move forms part of broader efforts to overhaul the country’s basic education system and improve learning outcomes.

He stressed that allowing such candidates to sit the examination contravenes established guidelines set by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Ghana Education Service (GES).

"We have also made a determination that, there students who leap early, not yet in JHS 3 but ought to write BECE, that is unacceptable per the GES guideline and the WAEC guidelines," he said on JoyFM's Super Morning Show on Thursday, April 2.

Mr Iddrisu noted that the practice has contributed to persistently poor performance in BECE results over the years, as some candidates are not adequately prepared for the demands of the examination.

"That is why we are seeing a reflection of poor quality because the student is not up to the task but forces himself to write BECE even when he is in primary six or JHS 1 or 2," he noted.

It is often observe that learners are permitted to skip classes or are encouraged to sit for external examinations such as the BECE or the West African Senior School Certificate Examination on the basis of perceived academic ability.

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Describing the practice as unacceptable, the Minister emphasised that it would no longer be tolerated under the revised policy direction, adding that only duly qualified students who have completed the required academic progression will be allowed to sit the examinations.