Eight female candidates writing the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE), at Yefri Junior High School centre in Nkoranza District in the Brong Ahafo are pregnant.
This came to light when the Nkoranza District Director of Education and the Public Relations Officer of the Directorate, Nana Adu Baffoe Adade, visited the five centers in the district to monitor the examination.
A total number of 1,850 candidates comprising 1,061 males and 789 females registered for the examinations and 26 candidates were absent at five centres in the district.
The absentees were made up of 11 males and 15 females and no reasons were given for their absence.
Other absentees were recorded at the Yefri centre where two candidates did not report whilst at Busunya Senior High School centre, seven candidates failed to report.
At Nkoranza district 'A' Junior High School center, six candidates were absent.
At Nkoranza Secondary Technical School centre, seven candidates were absent whilst five candidates were recorded at the Akuma district assembly Junior High School center, where it was reported that a female candidate, Rebecca Kyeremaa, died on February 27 this year during the school's mock examinations.
The Nkoranza district police commander, Superintendent D.O. Lomotey, has visited the centres to ensure adequate and effective security.
Mr. John Kofi Amoah, Nkoranza District Examination Officer, told GNA that the candidates in the district were from 46 public and five private schools.
He said that 76 examination officials made up of 64 invigilators and 12 supervisors were on duty to ensure the success of the examinations.
Mr. Amoah called on heads of schools to ensure that candidates adhered strictly to rules and regulations governing the examination.When GNA visited some of the centers in Sunyani around 1330 hours, the candidates were busily writing a paper amidst intense invigilation and supervision.
At each center visited, a community protection assistant was engaged to ensure security.
At Twene Amanfo Secondary Technical School (TASTEC) "A" center, 313 candidates from five schools were writing the examination.
The schools are Meredane Estate Junior High, Yawhimakrom SDA, Wesley Methodist, Estate Experimental and Christ International Junior High School.
Mr. Isaac Agyapong, supervisor, said the center recorded two absentees, a boy and girl but could not given reasons for their absence.
At TASTEC "B" center Mr. Ibrahim Anyasi, supervisor, told the GNA 329 candidates from six schools were writing the examination.
He said candidates from Sacred Heart, Baptist, Kotokrom, Garrison, Forces and Services Junior High Schools were at the center, adding, there was only a female absentee who had travelled abroad.When GNA visited TASTEC "C" center, 355 candidates from seven schools were writing the examinations.
Mr. Alex Yeboah, supervisor, said the center recorded five absentees of three girls and two boys but could not give reasons for their absence.
The schools are St. Georges Junior High, Boahenkorkor 'A' and Boahenkorkor 'B', Lawrence Demonstration, New Dormaa SDA and His Grace International Junior High.
In a related development, GNA realised that a total of 2,969 candidates comprising 1,856 males and 1,113 females from 93 JHS within Dormaa Municipal and Dormaa East District were taking the examinations at 12 centers.
The District coordinator of BECE, Gordon Kyere Amponsah told GNA that there were few absentees at some centers.
He said four candidates, three females and a male did not turn up for the English Language paper when the examination commenced at Dormaa Senior High School centre at Dormaa-Ahenkro.
Mr. Amponsah explained that examination materials as well as security were adequate for the examination.
He appealed to teachers and parents to encourage their children to desist examination malpractices.
Candidates from St. John's International School, a private basic school in Dormaa-Ahenkro told the GNA they felt their teachers had prepared them adequately for the task.