Mr. Kojo Kyere Boateng, the Education Director for Prestea Huni/Valley District, has advised students writing the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) not to abandon school to engage in “galamsey” operations.

He said many of the students after registering for the exams stopped attending school to engage in illegal mining activities popularly called galamsey in the district.

Mr. Kyere Boateng speaking with the Ghana News Agency said that had become a big challenge facing the education directorate in the district.

He said to ensure that the district improved on the performance of the students and obtained better grades in this year’s examination, school authorities and parents must put a watchful eye on their children.

A total of 3,043 candidates from one hundred public and private Junior High Schools are taking part in this year’s BECE in the district.

He said out of the total 1,623 are girls as against 1,420 boys.