The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has warned that candidates who assault examination officials during the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will have their entire results cancelled and could be barred from writing future examinations for several years.
The caution was issued by WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, during an interview on Channel One News on Sunday, May 3, ahead of the nationwide examination scheduled to commence on Monday, May 4.
According to him, the council is taking a firm stance against examination malpractice and misconduct, urging candidates to conduct themselves appropriately throughout the examination period.
He explained that beyond assaulting invigilators, candidates found with prohibited materials including mobile phones would face severe sanctions.
“So for mobile phone infractions, you have your entire results cancelled. So any candidate who comes into the examination hall with a mobile phone would have their entire results cancelled,” he stated.
Mr Kapi further advised candidates to report to their examination centres at least 30 minutes before the commencement of each paper, stressing that no latecomer would be permitted entry once the bell signals the start of work.
He also warned candidates against bringing prepared notes, smartwatches, calculators or seeking assistance from persons outside the examination hall.
The 2026 BECE is expected to record a total of 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools nationwide, comprising 304,349 boys and 315,792 girls. This represents an increase of 16,813 candidates, or 2.7%, compared to the 603,328 candidates who sat for the examination in 2025.