A swarm of bees disrupted the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Wa School for the Deaf, injuring two candidates and causing one to miss a paper.
The incident occurred shortly after the English Language paper when workers from the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) disturbed a beehive while pruning a tree near the examination centre.
The victims, a male and a female candidate, were immediately rushed to the Wa Municipal Hospital. The male candidate was treated and discharged in time to sit for the second paper, Career Technology. However, the female candidate remained under medical care and was unable to take the exam.
Upper West Regional Controller of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Donald Tuor, confirmed the incident and said efforts are underway to secure clemency for the affected student.
“We are considering pursuing clemency for her because the situation was beyond her control. While the subject is compulsory, it is not classified as a core subject, so she can still be graded,” Mr. Tuor explained.
Examination Malpractice Investigations
Mr. Tuor also revealed that WAEC is currently investigating several cases of examination malpractice in the region. One invigilator in the Wa Municipality has already been dismissed, while another is on the run.
“All reported cases will be thoroughly investigated, and anyone found culpable will be sanctioned accordingly. Any teachers involved will be referred to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service for appropriate disciplinary action,” he stated.
This year’s BECE in the Upper West Region saw a total of 14,733 candidates—comprising 7,928 females and 6,805 males—from 620 schools. Additionally, 169 private candidates registered for the exam, which is being held across 51 centres and supported by nine examination depots.
