CEO of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has funded a mock examination for approximately 2,400 BECE candidates in Akuapem North Municipality, Eastern Region.

The sponsorship covers students from both public and private schools.

Sammi Awuku, in his sponsorship of the mock examination, covered the printing of question papers and answer booklets, as well as procuring 2,400 mathematical sets for the candidates.

He also provided financial support for the supervision of the examination. During the handover of the items to the Akuapem North District Directorate of Education, Sammi Awuku emphasized the significance of the mock examination in boosting candidates' confidence and helping teachers identify their strengths and weaknesses for targeted interventions.

As someone aspiring to the parliamentary seat in the area, he highlighted the importance of educational support in the community.

“We expecting that this mock examination will prepare the candidates well, build their confidence into the main exams to impact and improve upon the results even though last year was impressive we expect this year to be of greater impact. What I personally seek to achieve is to build confidence of the people before they take the exams because for many of them they may get to experience how to use the mathematical set on the day of their exams and it will be new to them how to use the compass and all those things,” said Sammy Awuku

He added that “the tension alone in exams room can let you fail at the sight of of these mathematical instruments but once they have their confidence built ,practice on how to use this mathematical set and with the mock exams on all subjects that they are going to be examined on it will help know their strength.This mock exams are questions set by their own teachers and external examiners so these are standard questions they may end up facing it in the BECE.”

Sammi Awuku, prioritizing education in Akuapem North, has undertaken various interventions such as constructing sports facilities, providing generator plants, school buses, and roofing support, as well as recommending schools for government initiatives.

The sponsorship of the mock examination was commended by Lawrence Dzah, the Akuapem North municipal Education Director, who expressed plans to organize a simulation mock in the future.

The performance of BECE candidates in the municipality has been historically poor, with a significant number of failures and low aggregate scores. Although there was improvement in the pass rate in 2022, it still fell short of the municipality's target of 70%.