2024 BECE Postponed? See Latest Update From WAEC

News coming in indicates that the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) might be postponed or cancelled due to lack of funds.

This was announced by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC). Currently, the 2024 BECE is scheduled for July, 2024. The exams will start on Monday, 8th July, 2024 and end on Monday, 15th July, 2024.

Has the 2024 BECE Been Postponed?

The 2024 BECE has not been postponed or cancelled yet. The government of Ghana is doing everything possible to pay off the debt owed to WAEC before the start of the exams. In the case, the exams date still stands.

Currently, WAEC is worried because the government has not provided the necessary funds to prepare and conduct the exams. With the exam date of July 8, 2024, quickly approaching, there is not enough time to buy the needed supplies.

John Kapi, the Director of Public Affairs at WAEC, spoke on Joy FM’s Midday News about the issue. He said that WAEC is still owed ₵698,500 for previous exams. For the upcoming 2024 exams, WAEC expects to receive a total of ₵95,837,306 from the government. So far, they have only received ₵2,284,618, which means they still need ₵93,552,688 to run the BECE.

READ ALSO; EduWatch warns July 2024 BECE candidates over exam malpractice

The Minority group in the Education Committee of Parliament raised this issue earlier this week. They are asking the government to come up with a payment plan. Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Ranking Member of the Education Committee, suggested a meeting with the Finance Minister, the Education Minister, and WAEC officials to discuss how to release the necessary funds. He emphasized the need for financial resources to prepare for both the BECE in July and the WASSCE in August.

However, Dr. Prince Hamidu Armah, the Vice Chairman of the committee, downplayed the urgency, saying that such financial issues have been common for the past decade. He mentioned that the government paid over ₵80 million for BECE in 2023 and has already paid ₵2.5 million plus an additional ₵6 million for 2024. He insisted that the government is committed to ensuring the exams are conducted.

High inflation in the country, which was 23.1% in May 2024 (down from 25% in April 2024), is hurting the education and health sectors. These areas are struggling with no signs of getting better. Government Statistician Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim has urged government institutions to take immediate and practical actions to fix these problems.

These financial troubles have also led to a wider conversation about the need to secure funding for education and ensure the stability of the examination system.