Member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Kingsley Basintale, has advised candidates sitting for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) not to attribute poor performance to recent power outages, commonly referred to as dumsor.
Speaking during an interview on ABC In The Morning, Basintale argued that candidates have had enough time over the years to adequately prepare for the examination and should not shift blame if they underperform.
“You were in JHS for about three years, it is essential you do a night revision of what you’ve learnt but if you have not grasp what you have been taught in three years, you want to blame your failure on this recent power outages?” he questioned.
He stressed that while power interruptions are inconvenient, they should not be seen as the determining factor in students’ academic outcomes.
“I have been a candidate before, it’s [dumsor] not good,” he admitted, acknowledging the discomfort caused by unstable electricity supply.
However, he maintained that the current BECE cohort is well-prepared and capable of excelling despite the challenges.
“I believe in this candidate, they have learnt a lot, they have learnt enough, and one night will not determine whether their failure, or whether they pass or not,” he said.
Basintale further expressed confidence in the preparations made by education authorities ahead of the examination.
“I believe strongly in our current BECE candidates and I know they will do well, because preparation towards BECE by the Hon. Education Minister have been solid and robust,” he added.
His comments come at a time when concerns over intermittent power supply have resurfaced, with some stakeholders warning it could affect students’ revision schedules during the examination period.
The 2026 BECE is currently underway nationwide, with thousands of candidates sitting for various subjects across accredited examination centres.
