The 2026 BECE results have sparked fresh controversy in Ghana after the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) accused the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) of unfairly marking candidates from private schools
The association claims that many students received grades that do not reflect their actual academic performance, prompting calls for greater transparency in the examination process The development has raised concerns among parents, school owners, and education stakeholders about the credibility of the results
GNACOPS is now urging Ghana’s Ministry of Education to establish an independent committee to review the examination process, insisting that thousands of affected students deserve a fair assessment before their academic future is impacted
Private Schools Question WAEC’s 2026 BECE Marking
The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) says it has gathered substantial evidence suggesting that numerous private school candidates were unfairly graded in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)
According to the Executive Director of GNACOPS, Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, the council compared students’ examination outcomes with their continuous assessment records and concluded that many of the published grades do not accurately reflect the learners’ academic performance
He explained that private schools are responsible for submitting continuous assessment records through the Ghana Education Service, giving them confidence in questioning the final examination results
Over 14,000 Private Schools Raise Concerns
- GNACOPS revealed that the issue has attracted nationwide attention after it invited member schools to submit complaints
- According to the council, more than 14,000 private schools have expressed concern over the released BECE results
- The association confirmed that it has prepared a formal petition to Ghana’s Minister of Education and plans to present it alongside affected parents and students
Demand for Independent Review Committee
One of the major requests from GNACOPS is the creation of an independent review committee to examine WAEC’s marking process
The association argues that an external review would help determine whether the released grades truly reflect candidates’ performance and restore confidence in the examination system
GNACOPS also wants WAEC to release candidates‘ examination scripts for independent verification, saying transparency and accountability are essential to protecting students’ academic future
Parliament to Examine the Matter
The private schools’ association disclosed that it has been invited by Parliament’s Education Committee to present evidence supporting its claims
While awaiting further action, GNACOPS has instructed member schools to provide counselling services to students who may have been emotionally affected by the disputed examination results
Education experts believe the psychological impact of unexpected examination outcomes can be significant, making support services important during the review process
Education Minister Responds to Allegations
Responding to the controversy, Ghana’s Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, acknowledged the concerns raised by private schools but urged GNACOPS to submit verifiable evidence before any conclusions are reached
The minister emphasized that WAEC operates independently and is solely responsible for conducting and assessing the examinations
He maintained that unless there is credible evidence showing irregularities or malpractice, the released BECE results should be regarded as the outcome of a properly conducted examination process
What the Controversy Means for Students
The dispute has reignited conversations about transparency and accountability in public examinations across West Africa
If an independent review is approved, it could influence future examination oversight and strengthen confidence in assessment systems. However, until any official investigation is completed, the released BECE results remain valid
Students and parents are now awaiting the Ministry of Education’s next decision, which could determine whether the examination process undergoes further scrutiny
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