The 2021 National Examinations penned for this month by the Department of Education will go ahead as scheduled and there will be no delays despite the escalating cases of Covid-19 around the country. "I would like to inform all Head Teachers, Principals, Provincial Divisions of Education and stakeholders in  education that the National Examinations for 2021 will go ahead as scheduled by the Department," said Education Secretary Dr. Uke Kombra. He said the examinations must be held as scheduled to avoid any delays in the certification and selections and most importantly any opportunities for mal-practices such as cheating or selling and buying of examination information. "I am calling on every province to take full responsibility and assess the COVID-19 situation in the province and ensure that students are given all support they need to be able to sit the exams." Dr. Kombra said the academic year was nearly coming to an end and the national examinations are starting next week Monday, October 11. The published dates for the examinations are; Grade 10 (LSSCE) Exam Dates: 11 – 15 October (One Week), Grade 12 (USSCE) Exam, 18 – 22 October (One Week) and Grade 8 (COBE) Exam 25-28 October, 2021 (4 days). A total of 31, 817 Grade 12, 74, 982 Grade10, and 137,769 Grade 8 students are expected to sit the national examinations. This data includes a few students with special needs especially in grade 8 and 10. "I urge provinces to come up with strategies that will not jeopardise the education of our children, especially those in grades 12, 10 and 8 who have worked very hard to reach this level of education."