Bee Attack Disrupts BECE at Wa School for the Deaf: One Candidate Misses Paper, WAEC Mulls Clemency
A swarm of wild bees disrupted the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at the Wa School for the Deaf examination centre on Thursday, injuring two candidates and forcing a temporary suspension of the exam.
The unexpected incident occurred shortly after candidates had completed the English Language paper. According to eyewitnesses, workers from the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) were pruning a tree near the school premises when they accidentally disturbed a beehive, triggering the attack.
Two students—a male and a female—were stung and rushed to the Wa Municipal Hospital for treatment. While the male candidate was treated and discharged in time to sit for the next paper, Career Technology, the female candidate’s condition required further medical attention, causing her to miss the second paper.
Upper West Regional Controller of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Donald Tuor, confirmed the incident in an interview with the media. He stated that WAEC is taking steps to seek clemency on behalf of the affected female student, given the exceptional circumstances.
“We are considering pursuing a clemency case for her because it was not her fault. Though the subject is compulsory, it is not a core subject, so she can still be graded,” Mr. Tuor clarified.
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In a separate development, Mr. Tuor revealed that WAEC is currently investigating multiple cases of examination malpractice across the Upper West Region. So far, one invigilator in the Wa Municipality has been dismissed, and another is on the run following allegations of misconduct during the ongoing exams.
“All reported cases will be thoroughly investigated, and any individual found culpable will face the necessary sanctions,” he stressed, adding that teachers implicated in malpractice will be referred to the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service for disciplinary action.
This year, a total of 14,733 candidates are sitting for the BECE in the Upper West Region. The cohort includes 7,928 females and 6,805 males from 620 schools, as well as 169 private candidates. The exams are being administered across 51 centres, with logistical support from nine examination depots.
The unfortunate bee attack has sparked concerns about safety protocols at exam centres, especially those situated near areas prone to environmental hazards. Educational authorities are expected to review such risks to avoid a recurrence in future exams.
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