The examination
conducting body had introduced security mail bags with tag numbers, a padlock
and three keys that would be kept by three persons at different strategic
locations.
Mr Patrick Sumailar
Wayoe, Sekondi Controller of WAEC, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview
that the security measures were taken to curb occasional leakage of examination
question papers which often had financial implications on WAEC.
He said the new
security arrangement demanded that the District Education Director, the WAEC
depot keeper and the examination supervisor stationed at the examination centre
would keep the keys, adding that the measure aimed at preventing the
possibility of the mail bags from being tampered with.
Mr Wayoe disclosed
that a total of 44,094 candidates were writing the BECE in the Western Region,
comprising 23,602 males and 20,492 females.
He said the
examinations would take place at 127 centres across the region, involving 1,312
schools, and indicated that the Ghana Police Service had released police
personnel to maintain law and order at all the centres.
Mr. Wayoe stressed
that the police personnel would also escort examination materials, while others
would be stationed at the WAEC depots to prevent examination question papers
from being leaked.
He advised the
candidates to observe the rules and regulations governing the examinations, and
entreated supervisors and invigilators to protect the sanctity of the
examinations.
He warned candidates
not to send mobile phones and any foreign materials to the examination hall, in
order not to take undue advantage over others.
The examination
begins on Monday, June 15 and ends on Friday, June 19.
In all, the
candidates are being examined in nine subjects, namely, English Language,
Religious and Moral Education, Integrated Science, Basic Design and Technology,
Mathematics, Ghanaian Language, Social Studies, French and Information and
Communication Technology.
GNA