The Ellembelle District Chief Executive Kwasi Bonzoh on Friday June 7, 2019 distributed over 1,900 BECE support packages made up of stationaries and other instruments to all candidates set for this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination [BECE] in the district.

The initiative, according to him, is to help candidates take care of some basic needs required for a successful exams.

The Ellembelle District is presenting a total of 1,855 candidates, made up of 963 males and 892 females, from 70 public and private Junior High Schools.

Pass well to enjoy Free SHS

Presenting the items to the candidates the District Chief Executive Kwasi Bonzoh encouraged the candidates to give their best in order to qualify for the Free Senior High School Policy which is only a week away from them, made possible by the Nana Addo led government of the NPP.

BECE results in the past five years have averagely hovered around 50 percent. It went to 78.0 percent in 2015 from 74.7 in 2014. It then declined to 47 percent in 2016 and further ditched to 45 percent in 2017. It however went 8 percent up to 54 percent in 2018.

Mr. Bonzoh who is not enthused about the unstable pass rate in the district in the past five years encouraged candidates to put behind them all things that could distract their preparations before the exams.

He stated that "last year's BECE pass rate was 54 percent. This year, together with the Member of Parliament and the Education Directorate, we want you to bring home over 80 percent pass mark. The way you do this is by putting to good use all that your teachers have painstakingly taken you through at the JHS level. When you are able to deliver, you stand the chance of enjoying government's Free Senior High Program".

There is nothing to fear

Mr. Bonzoh further encouraged the students to be of themselves "and do away with all forms of fear that can take away the confidence you need for this exams". "In fact, all your life in the school, you have been writing exams before you are promoted to the next class. See this exams as one of those promotional exams. Be firm, and do not burden your mind one hour to the exams. Feel relax and face your future with confidence". He added.

"At the end of the day, you are still our lovely and adorned sons and daughters, no matter what".



Take your time when answering questions

Meanwhile the Member of Parliament for the Ellembelle Constituency Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah who also presented several customized maths sets admonished candidates to take their time when answering questions.

He adviced that "sometimes, you may find question one somehow difficult to answer. Move on to question 2 or three. But in the event you go through, and all of them seem not to be ones you can tackle immediately, be patient and go back to relook at the questions again. Don't panic. When relaxed, you will find that there are those questions you can confidently answer with ease".

Avoid exams malpractices

The District Director in charge of Education Peter Blay Ackah Quayson admonished the candidates to desist from entering the exams hall with materials and objects that are not allowed for the exams.

"Not even Bible or Koran must you send to the hall. That will not help you win the race ahead of you". Mr. Ackah Blay Quayson admonished.

Together, the two political leaders of Ellembelle entertained the candidates in their attempts to allay their fears for the Monday exams.

Candidates were finally offered soft drinks as well as other pastries as a sign of support they enjoy from them throughout the period.