It has been revealed that a total of 38 pregnant girls and nursing mothers will be eligible to write the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the Upper East Region.
Of the 38, 17 are nursing mothers while 21 are visibly pregnant girls, who would be taking part in the exam this year.
Despite the concern about early marriage and teenage pregnancy, more girls, about 10,681, have been registered to sit for the exams this year as against the 8,842 boys who have been registered to write.
In all, 19,523 candidates have been registered and are expected to take part in the BECE this year, which will take place in 90 centers across the region. Candidates from 589 public schools and 155 private schools, bringing the total figure to 744 schools in the region, would take part in the exams.
Presenting the statistics, Abraham Giba Adoctor, Upper East Regional Exams Coordinator, revealed that some of the girls are already married.
“Lately, we have had the girls outweigh the boys. We have 8,842 boys writing the exams, then we have 10,681 girls writing the exams. So, we have a total number of 19,523. We currently have 17 lactating mothers and a total of 21 visibly pregnant girls.” He revealed.
Mr. Giba Adoctor continued, “Some were impregnated by their colleagues while some are married.”
While describing the number of girls registered to write the exam as a welcome phenomenon, Mr. Giba stated that there is cause to worry because many of the boys are dropping out of school and engaging in galamsey or artisanal work. After all, for them, the focus is on getting money.
