In a bold move to uphold the integrity of national examinations, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has released a new directive prohibiting school heads in Ghana from registering Form Two students or private candidates for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The announcement, dated January 8, 2026, emphasizes that only eligible Form Three students with documented academic progress from Senior High School (SHS) 1 through SHS 3 can participate. This step comes amid growing concerns over irregularities in exam registrations across the country.
The GES directive explicitly states that the registration of unqualified candidates, including those in Form Two or external applicants without proper verification, is now strictly forbidden. School administrators are required to ensure all registrants have verifiable records demonstrating a full three-year senior high education. This measure aims to standardize the process and eliminate loopholes that have previously allowed ineligible participants to enter the exams, potentially compromising results.
One of the primary motivations behind this policy is to address widespread exam malpractices, such as schools charging unauthorized fees for registering ineligible students. Reports indicate that some institutions have exploited the system to inflate their pass rates, leading to unfair advantages and undermining the credibility of the WASSCE. By restricting entries to only qualified Form Three students, GES seeks to foster a more transparent and equitable examination environment.
Violations of the new guidelines will attract severe sanctions, including potential demotions or dismissals for school heads involved. Additionally, schools found employing unqualified staff or facilitating such registrations could be barred from serving as exam centers starting from March 2027. This extends to collaborations with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and other examination bodies, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance.
STATEMENT: Ghana Education Service’s (GES) Warning to School Heads Over WASSCE Registration
STATEMENT: Ghana Education Service’s (GES) Warning to School Heads Over WASSCE Registration
The directive aligns with ongoing reforms in Ghana’s education sector, where WAEC has already implemented enhanced monitoring for the 2025 exams, resulting in a notable reduction in reported malpractices. Education experts view this as a continuation of efforts to align Ghana’s standards with regional best practices, ensuring that WASSCE certificates reflect genuine academic achievement rather than manipulated entries.
Stakeholders, including parents and teachers, have mixed reactions to the policy. While some applaud it for promoting fairness, others worry about its impact on students who may need to resit exams as private candidates. GES has urged schools to communicate the changes clearly to avoid confusion during the registration period, which is set to proceed under these tightened rules.
Looking ahead, this GES initiative could pave the way for further educational reforms, potentially influencing how other West African countries handle exam registrations. As Ghana prepares for the 2026 WASSCE cycle, the focus remains on building a robust system that prioritizes quality and accountability in secondary education.
