2 BECE Candidates Knocked Down By Speeding Car

…1 Dead, Other In Critical Condition

Two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, from Kanuwlou Basic School in the North Tongu district of the Volta region, have been involved in an accident on Sunday July 7, leaving one dead and the other in critical condition.

Report indicates the students (names withheld) were seeing-off their sister, who had visited them in Volo near Juapong, when the two were knocked down by the speeding vehicle.

The injured candidates, were said to have been rushed to the Volta River Authority (VRA) hospital at Akosombo in the Eastern region, where one sadly succumbed to his injuries.

State owned Ghana News Agency (GNA) in a report said, the other victim, still remains in critical condition.

They were scheduled to write today’s exams at Volo Community Senior High School, the report added.

The District Chief Executive (DCE), Divine Osborne Fenu, confirmed the tragic incident and expressed concern about the psychological impact it might have on other candidates.

Mr Fenu, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased student and pledged to visit them, as well as the hospitalized student, to offer his support.

He promised to visit the affected pupils, to offer support and encouragement.

He urged all BECE candidates, to remain focused on their examinations and not let the tragic incident affect their performance.

No shoes and belts in exams room

Meanwhile, candidates in the same District, have been instructed not to wear shoes or belts during their exams.

This directive, issued according to officers from the Ghana Education Service (GES), aims to curb examination malpractice. They were, however, allowed to wear sandals.

At St. Kizito Senior High School, one of the designated examination centers in the district, GES officials, emphasized the necessity of strict adherence to this directive.

According to the officials, the prohibition of shoes and belts, is a preventive measure designed to maintain the integrity of the examination process by minimizing opportunities for cheating.

However, the directive, has not been well-received by all students.

Some candidates, have expressed discomfort and dissatisfaction, noting that they are unaccustomed to wearing sandals and dressing without belts. They argue that these changes have negatively affected their comfort and concentration during the exams.

Despite these concerns, the GES officials, remain firm on the enforcement of the directive, underscoring its importance in ensuring a fair and credible examination environment.

Some 560, 000 pupils across the country, are writing this year’s examination which will end on Friday.