The re-writing of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) would begin on 2 July and end on 5 July in all 958 centres throughout the country.

At a press briefing last week, the Head of National Office of the West Africa Examinations Council, Mrs. Lydia Kpodo said WAEC has adequately prepared for the re-sit. In all 19 subjects made up of seven core subjects and twelve vocational subjects are being examined and Mrs. Kpodo said the standard of questions would be the same as that of any BECE. She said the re-sit is necessary to ensure fairness to all candidates.

The Ministry of education in a statement warned "all unauthorised persons to stay away from the examination centres and to desist from any acts that may, mar the successful conduct of the examination"

It asked supervisors and invigilators "to be vigilant and to ensure that the examination is conducted free of any incidence of malpractice." The statement appealed to all parents and guardians to give their children and wards all the necessary support to enable them to re-write the examination. It wished all candidates every success and the best of luck in the examination.

On the security of the question papers, Mrs. Kpodo said they are being stored in well secured centres and the supervisors and invigilators used for the April examination have been re-briefed to ensure that supervision is in accordance with the rules and regulations of WAEC.

Mrs. Kpodo appealed to the press to help the council overcome examination malpractices by reporting whatever misconduct they chance upon.

The cost of the re-sit is about 3.8 billion cedis.