Eight Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates from Nangbagu Yapala M/A JHS in the Northern Region were involved in a tragic road accident on their way to write Tuesday’s exam at the Tamale Secondary School (Tamasco) centre in the Sagnarigu Municipality. The accident occurred about 5km from the exam centre when the tricycle transporting the students collided with a motorbike carrying a man and his wife. The motorcyclist died instantly, while his wife and all eight students sustained various injuries.
Mr. Abdulai Mohammed, a supervisor accompanying the candidates, explained that the tricycle’s steering locked, causing the rider to lose control and crash into the motorbike. Due to an ongoing strike, it took time to get medical personnel to attend to the injured at Tamale West Hospital. Although the students had not been discharged, they insisted on sitting for the exam.
However, by the time they arrived at the exam centre, the first paper had already ended. Despite isolating the students to write the exam, the authorities denied them the opportunity to sit for the paper. The news devastated the students, with some collapsing and requiring further hospital treatment.
The incident has sparked concern among community members and education stakeholders, who are calling for urgent intervention to support the affected candidates and find solutions to prevent such occurrences in future examinations.
This unfortunate event highlights challenges faced by candidates during national exams, especially amid transport difficulties and healthcare strikes, underscoring the need for compassionate policies to accommodate students affected by unforeseen circumstances.
