The Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Upper East Region has announced that a total of 22,326 candidates will sit for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), scheduled from May 4 to May 11, 2026.Over 22,000 Candidates to Sit for 2026 BECE as GES warns against Exams-malpractice in Upper East — GES*
According to the Regional Education Directorate, the examination will be conducted across 95 centres in all districts and municipalities, marking a significant academic milestone for junior high school students transitioning to senior high school.
Out of the total number, 19,381 candidates are from public schools—comprising 8,387 males and 10,994 females—while 2,945 candidates are from private schools, including 1,388 males and 1,557 females.
Bolgatanga Municipality Records Highest Candidates
Data from the Directorate shows that Bolgatanga Municipality recorded the highest number of candidates, with 2,974 candidates across 14 centres, reaffirming its status as a major educational hub in the region.
It is followed by Bongo District with 2,085 candidates across nine centres, and Kassena-Nankana West District with 1,936 candidates in seven centres.
Other districts with high participation include Bawku Municipality (2,038 candidates), Talensi District (1,577 candidates), and Bawku West District (1,499 candidates).
Disparities Across Districts
Despite the strong participation figures in some areas, disparities persist across the region. Builsa South District recorded the lowest number, with 719 candidates across three centres, while Binduri District and Bolgatanga East District registered 1,036 and 711 candidates respectively.
Notably, Nabdam District recorded no private school candidates, with all 756 candidates drawn from public schools.
GES Warns Against Examination Malpractice
The GES has urged candidates to adhere strictly to examination regulations and maintain discipline throughout the period. The Directorate cautioned against all forms of malpractice, indicating that robust monitoring systems have been deployed to ensure a credible and incident-free exercise.
“Candidates are advised to remain focused, prepare adequately, and avoid any form of examination malpractice,” the statement stressed.
Female Participation Continues to Rise
The data further highlights a sustained trend of higher female participation, with girls outnumbering boys in both public and private school categories. Education stakeholders attribute this to ongoing efforts to improve girls’ access to education across the region, signaling progress toward greater gender parity in Ghana’s education sector.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7Fm / Maurice Duncan/ Bolgatanga
