West African Examinations Council

Also known as: WAEC · W.A.E.C

West African Examinations Council — administers WASSCE examinations in Ghana and investigates exam irregularities, with recent focus on forged credentials and declining English Language performance.

2026-04-272026-09-17

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

September 2026
1 SeptDaily Guide
… A press release on the subject explained that the decision follows requests from parents, guardians, students and heads of schools for additional time to complete the submission and uploading of students’ data on the platforms of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and t …
School Placement Release Date Changed
1 SeptThe Ghanaian Times
… According to the Ministry, the decision followed requests from parents, guardians, students and heads of schools for additional time to complete the submission and uploading of students’ data onto the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and CSSPS platforms. …
Release of school placement results rescheduled to September 4
August 2026
30 AugJoy Online
… According to a press release issued on Sunday, August 30, the decision follows requests from parents, guardians, students and Heads of Schools for additional time to complete the submission and uploading of students’ data on the platforms of the West African Examinations Council …
Education Ministry reschedules 2026/27 CSSPS results to September 4
27 AugJoy Online
… He said the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Ministry of Education should clearly explain what BECE represented, particularly if it was principally a placement examination. …
Stanine grading system is appropriate for BECE placement but needs review – IFEST
24 AugJoy Online
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) portal for the online capturing and uploading of candidates’ school selection data for the 2026 placement exercise will open from Monday, August 24 to Thursday, August 27, 2026. …
GES opens WAEC portal for 2026 school placement data submission
14 AugJoy Online
… In a statement signed by its Convener, Mr Richard Kwashie Kovey, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), CAPCOE said it did not speak on behalf of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and did not dismiss concerns raised by private school associations. …
CAPCOE rejects claims of deliberate bias against private schools in 2026 BECE
10 AugThe Ghanaian Times
… He said the pre-placement exercise, being conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), was expected to end yesterday, but indicated that the deadline could be extended if the need arose. …
SHS placement results to be out Aug. 31
7 AugJoy Online
… The BECE Paradox WAEC states explicitly that BECE candidates are graded using the stanine (STAndard NINE), a method of scaling test scores on a nine-point standard scale with a mean of 5 and a standard deviation of 2. …
Rethinking assessment, achievement and ranking in Ghanaian education
7 AugJoy Online
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it applies the same marking schemes and grading systems to candidates in public and private schools who sit the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). …
WAEC denies separate grading system for public, private schools
6 AugJoy Online
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it is prepared to remark Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) scripts where genuine concerns are raised but will not allow private school associations to scrutinise candidates’ scripts independently. …
WAEC open to BECE script remarking but rejects independent audit

Society

NAGRAT president urges end to political interference in WAEC exams

The News

Jacob Anaba, president of the National Association of Graduate Teachers, has called for an end to political interference in West African Examinations Council processes, arguing that students' results must reflect their genuine academic abilities without influence from politicians, schools, or communities. He also expressed concern about the highest number of subject cancellations recorded in January WAEC examinations and called for investigation into their causes.

15 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 15 September

NAGRAT president urges end to political interference in WAEC exams
Jacob Anaba, president of the National Association of Graduate Teachers, has called for an end to political interference in West African Examinations Council processes, arguing that students' results must reflect their genuine academic abilities without influence from politicians, schools, or communities. He also expressed concern about the highest number of subject cancellations recorded in January WAEC examinations and called for investigation into their causes.
15 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Government creates dedicated funding for Free SHS programme
President Mahama announced dedicated government funding for the Free Senior High School programme to prevent delays in releasing funds to schools, improving food supplies and reducing complaints from school heads. The government is also working with the World Bank on a US$300 million facility to end the double-track system by the end of 2027.
15 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Thursday 10 September

Education crisis: exam results, placement failures demand national dialogue
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin called for an honest national conversation on Ghana's education system, citing concerns over WAEC exam results and JHS placement challenges. He noted 183,233 students completed secondary education without a credit in Core Mathematics, English Language credit pass rates fell to 62.40 percent (lowest in four years), and 54,985 BECE candidates were initially denied automatic placement into SHS.
10 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
Forged certificates found in Ghana security service recruitment
The Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building has warned that the discovery of recruits in Ghana's security services presenting forged WASSCE results poses an existential threat to public safety. The think tank called for an overhaul of digital recruitment portals to include real-time credential verification with WAEC, rather than retrospective checks after training has begun.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Interior Minister reveals forged WASSCE results in security recruitment
Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak Mohammed disclosed that several recruits have been dismissed from security services training schools after WAEC verification uncovered forged or doctored WASSCE results used for admission. Those found culpable will be placed on a red list preventing future applications to Ghana's security services, with possible prosecution to follow.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 9 September

Adutwum calls for secondary subject resits and transcript system
Former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has proposed reforms allowing secondary school students to resit individual subjects they fail or repeat a class, and to have their academic performance recorded throughout their time in school rather than relying mainly on final examination results. He suggests the system should be linked to West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to provide a clearer picture of student performance over time, similar to university-level resit opportunities.
9 September 2026 · Joy Online →
How to purchase and use 2026 WASSCE Results Checker
WAEC released provisional 2026 WASSCE results on 4 September 2026. Candidates can purchase a Results Checker voucher via Mobile Money (dial *713*5388# or *713*3998#) or online at buycheckercodes.com.gh, then use the Serial Number and PIN to check results at ghana.waecdirect.org.
9 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Afenyo-Markin calls national dialogue on education exam outcomes
Ghana's Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is demanding urgent national conversation on the education system, citing poor performance in recent WASSCE and BECE results—including 183,233 candidates who completed secondary school without a Core Mathematics credit and an English Language pass rate of 62.40%, the lowest in four years. He also flagged concerns about BECE placement irregularities, noting 54,985 candidates were initially denied automatic placement and reporting issues with misplaced students and overcrowded schools.
9 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 8 September

WAEC cancels results for exam misconduct; English grades decline
WAEC cancelled the entire results of 861 candidates for possessing mobile phones in examination halls and the subject results of 7,434 candidates for bringing unauthorised materials. Performance in English Language declined, with the proportion achieving top grades falling from 69 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026, attributed to weaknesses in grammar, spelling, concord, and comprehension.
8 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Monday 7 September

WAEC says further study needed on core subject performance swings
The West African Examinations Council admits that more research is required to understand why performance in core subjects fluctuates yearly, with Mathematics improving this year while English Language declined. WAEC's Director of Public Affairs said the Council's analysis shows English Language has been declining between 2023 and 2026, while Mathematics, Inter-Science, and Social Studies have also fluctuated, suggesting a need to examine how students are prepared for the examination.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC seeks research to explain shifting core subject failure patterns
The West African Examinations Council says it requires further research to understand why poor performance in Ghana's core WASSCE subjects shifts from one subject to another. The 2026 WASSCE results showed Core Mathematics improved while English Language declined, and WAEC's analysis from 2023 to 2026 reveals fluctuating trends across Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies, with English Language showing steady decline.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC calls for research into declining English Language exam performance
The West African Examinations Council is requesting further study into why students persistently underperform in English Language at the senior high school level. WAEC's analysis shows a steady decline in English Language results between 2023 and 2026, with the subject now the weakest among core subjects, while performance in mathematics, integrated science, and social studies has fluctuated over the same period.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Parents warned against fraudsters offering SHS placement help
The Ahafo Regional Secretary of the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations has cautioned parents against fraudsters on social media claiming they can manipulate BECE results or influence school placements, urging parents to contact Ghana Education Service and West African Examinations Council directly using official numbers.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Education Ministry monitoring social media language impact on students
The Ministry of Education says concerns over students' use of "social media language" in classrooms are not being overlooked, though the issue has not yet formally come before the Ministry. The Ministry is awaiting WAEC's Chief Examiner's Report, which it expects will provide broader context after the English Language pass rate fell from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Students struggle to translate word problems into maths
The Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Ghana says many candidates continue to struggle with translating word problems into mathematical statements, despite improved overall mathematics performance. He urges teachers to give students more exercises to improve their understanding of mathematical language and interpretation.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
NDC MP urges review of English teaching after WASSCE decline
David Vondee, NDC MP for Twifo Atti Morkwa, called for a review of English Language teaching methods following a decline in students' performance in the 2026 WASSCE, with the pass rate falling from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026. He argued the problem originates at basic school level and suggested teaching approaches need to change, including the use of technology.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC questions search effectiveness after phones found on candidates
The West African Examinations Council has raised concerns about possible lapses in security checks at examination centres after mobile phones were discovered on candidates during the 2026 WASSCE. WAEC's Head of Public Affairs said supervisors and invigilators have been instructed to conduct thorough searches, and noted that possession of a mobile phone results in cancellation of a candidate's entire results.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC cancels 8,295 WASSCE results over examination irregularities
The West African Examinations Council has released provisional 2026 WASSCE results for 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools, with 8,295 results cancelled due to examination irregularities including unauthorised materials and mobile phones in examination halls. A further 1,227 results have been withheld pending investigation.
7 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
WAEC withholds 270 candidates' results for suspected exam offences
The West African Examinations Council has withheld the results of 270 candidates over suspected examination offences in the 2026 WASSCE. Additionally, WAEC cancelled subject results for 7,434 candidates for bringing unauthorised materials and entire results for 861 candidates found with mobile phones.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC cancels results of 861 candidates found with mobile phones
The West African Examinations Council has cancelled the entire examination results of 861 candidates who were found in possession of mobile phones during the 2026 examinations. WAEC's regulations prohibit candidates from possessing mobile phones in examination halls regardless of whether the devices are used.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC calls for reading culture revival and better teacher training
WAEC Ghana has urged a renewal of reading culture among students and improved teacher training to address declining English Language performance in Ghanaian schools. The council's Head of Public Affairs said regular reading helps students build vocabulary and understanding, and recommended schools give students exercises like writing summaries of texts they have read.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC identifies grammar weaknesses, poor reading for English decline
The West African Examinations Council has blamed the decline in English Language performance in the 2026 WASSCE on weak grammar, poor reading habits, and informal language influence. The pass rate fell from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026, with candidates struggling with grammar control, concord errors, spelling, and comprehension of texts.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 6 September

WASSCE 2026 English decline to 62.4% prompts urgent remedial calls
Education Watch's Executive Director says the continued fall in English Language performance in the 2026 WASSCE requires urgent remedial action, with the proportion of candidates obtaining grades A1 to C6 dropping from 69.00 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026. However, performance in Social Studies, Mathematics, and Integrated Science improved, with Social Studies reaching about 78 per cent in grades A1 to C6—its strongest performance in recent years.
6 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 5 September

WAEC releases 2026 WASSCE provisional results
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the release of provisional results for the 2026 WASSCE, accessible through the official WAEC Ghana website at https://ghana.waecdirect.org/. Candidates can check results on their mobile phones by entering their index number, examination details, and a purchased Result Voucher serial number and PIN.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WASSCE 2026: English Language performance drops to 62.4%
Performance in English Language declined in the 2026 WASSCE, with 62.40 per cent of candidates obtaining grades A1-C6, down from 69.00 per cent in 2025. WAEC data shows English Language has fallen consistently over four years, from 73.11 per cent in 2023, while other core subjects like Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies improved.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WASSCE 2026: Social Studies, Maths, Science improve; English declines
Social Studies recorded 78.04 per cent of candidates obtaining grades A1-C6 in 2026, up sharply from 55.82 per cent in 2025. Mathematics and Integrated Science also improved, while English Language performance fell from 69.00 per cent in 2025 to 62.40 per cent in 2026, the only core subject to record progressive decline over the four-year period.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WASSCE entry rises 11 percent to 512,862 candidates in 2026
The West African Examinations Council reports that 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools sat the 2026 WASSCE, an 11.07 percent increase on the 461,736 who entered in 2025. Provisional results show Social Studies as the best-performing core subject at 78.04 percent of candidates achieving grades A1–C6, followed by English Language at 62.40 percent, Integrated Science at 62.08 percent, and Mathematics (Core) at 60.75 percent.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WASSCE 2026 English Language pass rate drops to 62.4%
Performance in English Language declined to 62.40 per cent of candidates obtaining grades A1–C6 in the 2026 WASSCE, down from 69.00 per cent in 2025, representing a consistent four-year downward trend. While English Language declined, Math Core, Integrated Science, and Social Studies improved in 2026.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC cancels 8,295 candidates' results for exam irregularities
WAEC has cancelled subject or entire examination results of 8,295 candidates following investigations into examination irregularities during the 2026 WASSCE. Subject results of 7,434 candidates were cancelled for bringing foreign materials into exam halls, 861 candidates had entire results cancelled for possessing mobile phones, and 957 candidates had subject results withheld while 270 had entire results withheld over suspected offences.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →
WAEC releases 2026 WASSCE provisional results for 512,862 candidates
The West African Examinations Council has released provisional results for the 2026 WASSCE with 512,862 candidates from 1,022 schools, an 11.07 per cent increase from 2025. WAEC has warned candidates against fraudsters claiming to upgrade results and encouraged the use of its QR code verification system.
5 September 2026 · Joy Online →