Nkawie (Ash), June 27, GNA - Fifty-seven out of 3,482 candidates registered for this year's Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District failed to write the examination. Mr Robert Amanquah-Awuah, District Examination Officer, told the Ghana News Agency at Nkawie on Monday, that out of the number, nine candidates were pregnant, 13 withdrawn, 16 hospitalised while three died before the examination.

He said one candidate travelled abroad, eight dropped out of school while the whereabouts of seven were not known. Mr Amanquah-Awuah said the 40 public schools in the District presented 2,608 candidates made up of 1,472 boys and 1,136 girls instead of 2,658 registered candidates, 1,495 boys and 1,163 girls. He said 21 private schools also presented 817 candidates consisting of 408 boys and 409 girls as against the 824 registered candidates of 411 boys and 413 girls.

Mr Amanquah-Awuah said out of the 10 selected examination centres, Asuofua Junior Secondary School, Saint Lisbert International School and Osei Tutu Secondary School had the highest number of candidates with 549, 494 and 339 respectively while the centre at Toase Secondary School had the lowest, 255.

The Examination Officer commended the supervisors and invigilators for their performance.