Freetown, 2nd July 2026- The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has officially announced that the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will begin on Monday, July 20, 2026, and conclude on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, following the timetable approved by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The clarification comes after confusion sparked by an earlier communication that mistakenly indicated July 6 as the start date. In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry apologised for the inconvenience and acknowledged the anxiety the error may have caused among candidates, parents, teachers, and school authorities.
“We sincerely regret the discomfort this may have caused and appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public,” the Ministry noted.
MBSSE has urged candidates to remain calm and use the additional time to strengthen their preparation. Parents and guardians are encouraged to continue providing moral and logistical support, while school heads and teachers have been reminded to ensure all arrangements are in place for a smooth examination process.
The Ministry also appealed to communities, local authorities, security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media to work together to guarantee a peaceful and transparent nationwide examination.
Protecting the integrity of public examinations, the statement stressed, is a shared responsibility requiring discipline, fairness, and cooperation from all stakeholders.
