As the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) gets underway today, the Ministry of Education has sent a dual message of encouragement and caution to the record-breaking number of students heading into exam halls across the nation.
A total of 509,862 candidates are registered to sit the exams this year, representing a significant 10.4% increase over the 2021 cohort.
This year’s demographic reflects a notable majority of female students, with 284,588 girls and 225,274 boys prepared to be tested at 1,017 designated centres.
The Ministry highlighted that this massive logistical undertaking involves students from over a thousand schools, all vying for results that will determine their academic and professional futures.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, the government urged students to rely on their years of study rather than shortcuts.
“Candidates must believe in their abilities and trust the preparation they have received over the years,” Dr Apaak noted, encouraging a calm and disciplined approach to the papers.
However, the Ministry’s well-wishes were underscored by a rigorous warning regarding the sanctity of the assessment process.
With 43 teachers already under arrest following malpractice during the recently concluded Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), officials are making it clear that they have zero tolerance for “rogue elements” in the exam hall.
“Examination fraud remains a major threat to the integrity of Ghana’s educational system and must not be tolerated,” the Deputy Minister stated.
He further cautioned that any individual, whether a student, invigilator, or school official, found aiding in cheating would face the full rigours of the law. “No examination result is worth jeopardising one’s future,” he added, referencing the potential for disqualification and legal sanctions.
The government is also considering a public “name and shame” policy for adults caught compromising the system.
Following public outcry, the Ministry confirmed it is weighing a proposal to publish the identities of all teachers and officials involved in recent BECE irregularities to serve as a deterrent.
As the examinations progress, the Ministry has called upon parents, security agencies, and school authorities to remain vigilant.
The government remains firm in its commitment to working alongside the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to ensure that the 2026 session remains credible, transparent, and peaceful.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
