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Two public schools in Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, Ayuusi-Yine and Dorongo Junior High Schools excelled in the 2009 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga on Thursday, Mr. Elvis Apam, Municipal Education Examination Officer, said it was the first time a public basic school had performed so well. Mr Apam said the 2009 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) analysis indicated that a total number of 22 candidates from Dorongo junior high school sat for the exams and 15 candidates obtained grades from 16-24; while 7 obtained 25-30 grades. The Ayuusi-Yine Junior High School presented 17 candidates and 14 obtained grades from 16-24, while three obtained 25-30 grades and this therefore gave the two schools 100 per cent passes keeping them among the best private schools in the Municipality. Mr Apam, who was the Head Teacher of Dorongo Junior High School at the time of the exams, noted that, the performance of the two schools was not a miracle but happened due to total devotion and commitment to work by both teachers and pupils of the schools and challenged all schools to emulate them to bring about quality education in the Region and the country as a whole. He said about 45 basic schools sat for the examination and five private schools - Saint Anthony; Aim Preparatory; Straightway; Fountain Gate and Victory Academy Junior High Schools - and the two public ones obtained hundred per cent passes, that is, from aggregate six to 30 that qualified the pupils to get admission into second cycle institutions. Mr Apam stated that he would make sure that the Region becomes exam malpractice-free. He said effective measures were being put in place to check pupils and teachers who cheated during examination. He appealed to parents to devote time for their children and to help them with their homework and other things that would encourage them to learn.