The Eastern Region recorded 82 pregnant candidates in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), a development education authorities say continues to highlight the growing challenge of teenage pregnancy among school-going girls, despite ongoing interventions.
The figure, though lower than the 104 pregnancies recorded during the 2025 BECE, has once again sparked concerns among education stakeholders, parents and child welfare advocates over the increasing number of adolescent girls combining motherhood with basic education.
In addition to the pregnant candidates, 40 lactating mothers also sat for this year’s examination across the region, slightly higher than the 35 recorded last year.
Speaking to the media after the successful conduct of the 2026 BECE in the region, the Eastern Regional Director of Education, Dr. Mrs. Ivy Asantewaa Owusua, described the situation as worrying, although she acknowledged that the reduction in pregnancy cases compared to last year indicates that ongoing awareness campaigns and interventions may be gradually yielding results.
According to her, the participation of pregnant girls and lactating mothers in the examination demonstrates the determination of many young girls not to abandon their education, despite difficult personal circumstances.
She stressed that education authorities remain committed to ensuring that no child is denied access to education because of pregnancy or motherhood.
Dr. Owusua explained that the Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders have continued to intensify education on adolescent reproductive health, guidance and counseling and parental responsibility in schools across the region.
She, however, appealed to parents and communities to become actively involved in the upbringing and monitoring of children, especially teenage girls, to help reduce the growing cases of teenage pregnancy.
“The responsibility should not be left to teachers alone. Parents, religious leaders and community stakeholders all have important roles to play in shaping the lives of these children,” she emphasised.
Meanwhile, the 2026 BECE ended successfully in the Eastern Region, with only a few candidates expected to write the Arabic paper on Monday, to officially conclude the examination exercise.
A total of 57,559 candidates registered for the examination across the region, while 344 candidates were absent during the exams. The absentee figure represents an improvement over the 439 cases recorded in 2025.
Dr. Owusua attributed the absenteeism to factors including relocation of parents, school dropouts, and deaths of some candidates before the examinations.
Touching on examination malpractice, she confirmed that some reported incidents are currently under investigation by the police and the West African Examinations Council.
Some invigilators are also alleged to have been involved in examination malpractices, with investigations ongoing to establish the facts.
Dr. Owusua further advised candidates who have completed the BECE to remain disciplined and focused while awaiting their results and admission into Senior High Schools.
She cautioned them against engaging in social vices and urged parents to pay close attention to their activities during the post-examination period.
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The post E/R records 82 pregnant candidates, 40 lactating mothers in 2026 BECE appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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