The Ghana Education Service has announced that it will increase security for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E. ), which will include searching applicants' jeans and hijabs.
The action, according to Kate Biney, Municipal Education Director for the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality, is intended to reduce the possibility that the tests may be canceled owing to irregularities.
She reportedly mentioned this in an interview with a Takoradi-based radio station, according to Starrfm.com.gh.
"The West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has provided the supervisors with the necessary orientation and outlined the standards that are required of them. This time, we're going to search thoroughly, so if you hear that we're checking their armpits and other places, just know that men are searching men and women are looking after women, according to the news website.
"We will notice the hijabs if they are made of anything other than their hair. We won't take it off because we know that Muslim women cover their hair, but if we have a suspicion, we may ask you to take it off, shake it, and put it back on before continuing.
According to Biney, authorities have learned from the mistakes made during earlier tests and will take no chances this time around.
"Because of what transpired during WASSCE, WAEC has knowledge of the methods used by candidates to conceal foreign content, as it is not as obvious as it was in their position. They now conceal it behind their neck collars, in between their belts, and even while wearing multiple nose masks. The hijabs of our Muslim coworkers will also be examined, she said.
She highlighted that many more responsible and innocent candidates would not have their candidacies canceled as a result of the conduct of a small number of candidates, hence the proactive approach.
BECE is anticipated to begin on October 1st.
