Education Breaks Chains: SCC boys score 100 percent pass in BECE

In a powerful testament to the impact of rehabilitation, juvenile inmates at the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), Accra, have successfully made a 100 percent score in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), proving that education can thrive even behind bars. The 11 young offenders, who are serving various terms at the facility, sat for this year’s BECE through the Ghana Education Service’s prison education programme. The results released depicted a remarkable pass rate, with many candidates securing passes in all nine subjects written. Speaking at a brief ceremony to honour the candidates, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Yayra Ashong-Mettle, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) at SCC, noted that education remains central to the Service’s mandate of reforming inmates into responsible citizens. “These young people made mistakes, but they have chosen to rewrite their stories,” DDP Ashong-Mettle accentuated, adding that “Passing these exams shows that when we invest in their minds, we invest in safer communities for tomorrow, to reshape them into law-abiding citizens who will contribute meaningfully to society.” On her part, many of the inmates, studying in a correctional facility, faced unique challenges during their schooling era at the Reformers Junior High School situated at the Senior Correctional Centre. The Officer-in-Charge said the achievement was a testament to the core mandate of the Ghana Prisons Service, which stands on the roots of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. “These children come to us with low self-esteem and broken dreams. Our mandate is not just to keep them safe, but to reform them. This 100 per cent is not just an academic score; it is a reformation score. It proves correction works,” she stated. The OIC commended the juveniles for studying hard to prove themselves by scoring an aggregate of 12, among other passing grades, even though limited resources, strict schedules, and the emotional burden of incarceration posed a hurdle to their academic pursuit. Highlighting on the above, DDP Ashong-Mettle noted that, with benevolent support from Prison Officers who serve as teachers, NGOs, and volunteers, they persevered to achieve a remarkable feat by securing 100 per cent in the BECE. In an exclusive interview with Hon. Sena Okity-Duah, Coordinator of Free SHS Secretariat, Ministry of Education, commended the Senior Correctional Centre for churning out the academic pursuit of the juveniles to restoration. She was marvelled that, despite studying in a correctional facility with limited resources, the juveniles achieved the rare feat, describing it as a clear proof that reformation through education is working and that no child is beyond redemption. “What you have done is not ordinary. Many students with full parental support, private teachers and freedom did not get 100 per cent. You, behind these walls, with limited resources, have shown Ghana that your past does not determine your future,” she observed. Adding to it, the Coordinator said the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy is a government initiative to eliminate financial barriers and provide tuition-free secondary education for all eligible students in public schools, not just for needy but brilliant students. She assured the inmates that their 100 per cent success guarantees them automatic placement under the Free SHS programme. “You are already beneficiaries of Free SHS in spirit. Government will ensure that every one of you who qualifies to go to Senior High School will be enrolled without paying school fees. This is your second chance, take it seriously,” Hon. Okity-Duah underscored. The Coordinator also praised the Ghana Prisons Service for upholding the right to education for all children, including those in conflict with the law. She noted that the BECE results from correctional centres will be included in the regional education statistics as motivation to other learners. One juvenile inmate, in an emotional response, thanked the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ministry of Education and their teachers, and promised to maintain discipline and aim higher in SHS. “We made mistakes, but we are not mistakes. We thank Free SHS for believing in us, we can also go to SHS,” one of the candidates said on behalf of his colleagues. Director-General of Prisons, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Mrs) Esq, on behalf of the Prisons Service Directorate, congratulated the OIC, teachers and the boys at SCC for achieving this feat. The Director General reiterated her commitment and that of the Directorate to supporting continued development of Reformers Junior High School and expanding educational opportunities at the Senior Correctional Centre. “This is a commendable achievement and a reflection of the hard work of the candidates and the dedication of the teaching staff, I commend you all for your commitment to making education an important part of the rehabilitation of our inmates,” she acknowledged. Highlighting on improving inmates' welfare, Baffoe-Bonnie urged officers by saying, “Let us continue to give our inmates not only hope, but the education, skills and support they need for a better future.”Source: ASP Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah, Contributor
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