BECE 2025: 36 Inmates Sit Exams, 2 Students Dead, 16 Invigilators Nabbed for Malpractice

36 Prison Inmates Sit 2025 BECE as Ghana Prisons Service Champions Education Behind Bars

A total of 36 prison inmates across Ghana are currently writing the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), a move hailed by officials as a key step toward rehabilitation and reintegration.

According to the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, Chief Superintendent Adamu Abdul Latif, the candidates include 18 juveniles from the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) in Accra, seven inmates from Nsawam Medium Security Prison, six from Ho Central Prison, and five from Kumasi Central Prison. All the candidates are male.

Inmates Prepared for Success
Chief Supt. Latif stated that the inmates were thoroughly prepared by trained teachers, both from the Ghana Prisons Service and the Ghana Education Service (GES). He expressed confidence in their performance and commended the commitment shown by the inmates throughout their preparation.

“They have been well-prepared by qualified instructors, and we are optimistic they will do very well in the exams,” he said.

To maintain security, the inmates are being transported under guard to nearby exam centres where they are officially registered. This ensures their full participation in the national exams, which play a critical role in determining access to senior high schools and technical institutions in Ghana.

Promoting Rehabilitation Through Education
The Ghana Prisons Service introduced formal education for inmates in 2007 as part of its broader efforts to align with international standards in prison reform. The aim was to equip inmates with basic literacy and academic qualifications to ease their reintegration into society after serving their sentences.

The first batch of candidates—21 juveniles and young offenders—sat for the BECE in 2009, recording a 100% pass rate. Since then, the Prisons Service has consistently reported similar success stories, proving that access to education can be a powerful rehabilitative tool.

Exam Malpractices: 16 More Officials Arrested
While the story of prison inmates writing the BECE highlights a positive development, the examination has also been marred by widespread malpractice.

WAEC, the West African Examinations Council, has confirmed that 16 more examination officers have been arrested for their involvement in cheating during the ongoing exams. This brings the total number of arrests within three days to 25.

The suspects include two headteachers, one exam supervisor, and several invigilators. According to John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, only three of the individuals arrested are not teachers. Shockingly, some were caught distributing unauthorized materials to students inside exam halls.

“We’ve arrested two headteachers in the act of handing out materials during the exams. This is unacceptable,” Mr. Kapi stated.

The reported incidents occurred across several regions including Atebubu, Kintampo (Bono East), Greater Accra, Eastern, Bono, and Ashanti regions. WAEC has launched further investigations and promised continued monitoring throughout the duration of the BECE.

Tragic Losses: Two Candidates Die During BECE Week
Amid both progress and scandal, tragic news has emerged regarding two students who died during the examination period.

A 14-year-old girl reportedly passed away in Kwahu Praso in the Eastern Region, while another student died in Assin Amoakrom in the Central Region. The causes of death have not yet been made public, and authorities are expected to provide updates in the coming days.

Conclusion
The 2025 BECE has so far reflected both the promise and the challenges within Ghana’s educational landscape. While the participation of prison inmates shows a remarkable effort in rehabilitation through education, the persistent issue of exam malpractice highlights the need for stricter monitoring and accountability.

At the same time, the loss of young lives during such a pivotal moment reminds stakeholders to prioritize not just academic outcomes, but also the well-being and safety of all students involved.