Governance analyst and lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, is urging parents and guardians to play an active role in preparing their wards for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), beyond academic revision.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he cautioned candidates to report early to examination centres to avoid unnecessary stress and disorganisation on the day of the papers.
“You must arrive at the exam hall 30 minutes before the exams,” he said. “Because if you don’t take care, you may run into traffic. Some people are writing at different centres from their schools and must set off early.”
He warned that late arrival could affect concentration and performance.
“When you go and the exam has already started, it will be difficult for you to settle, and you may even forget all that you’ve learnt,” he cautioned.
Dr Otchere-Ankrah also appealed directly to parents and guardians to ensure their wards are properly equipped with basic stationery needed for the examination.
“Parents and guardians must ensure that their wards have enough pens, pencils and other resources they need—at least three pencils,” he said.
He stressed that candidates should not enter the exam hall unprepared or rely on borrowing items from others.
“It is not the best for candidates to go into the exam hall and be borrowing things because you don’t even know where these things are coming from. There may be consequences,” he warned.
Beyond logistics, the lecturer highlighted the importance of proper nutrition during the examination period, urging parents to prioritise balanced meals for candidates.
“This is the best time for parents to give their children nutritional meals,” he noted. “The most difficult time is learning. This is not the moment for junk foods. We must ensure they eat well because learning drains them a lot.”
His message comes as more than 620,000 candidates across the country begin writing this year’s BECE, with education authorities calling for discipline, punctuality, and strict adherence to examination rules.
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