Over 55,000 candidates who sat the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) have failed to secure placement into second-cycle institutions due to poor performance in core subjects.
Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Coordinator, Sherif Sulemana, disclosed that candidates who failed either English Language or Mathematics were automatically disqualified from the exercise.
Speaking on Joy FM on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Mr Sulemana revealed that out of 620,000 students who sat the national exams, only 565,000 met the criteria for placement.
“Based on our analysis, we have about 565,000 [candidates] qualified for placement this year,” he said.
Detailing the benchmark criteria, he emphasised that passes in both core subjects remain non-negotiable.
“You are disqualified from placement if you have failed either English or Mathematics,” he explained.
Addressing concerns over grading, Mr Sulemana noted that securing Grade 9 under the standardised system is not an automatic declaration of failure, as actual raw scores determine the outcome.
“The raw scores—maybe I could have shown you the data—you would find that somebody got one, somebody got 10 out of 100, somebody got 12 or 20 out of 100, and that qualifies as a failure,” he said.
Analyzing the overall academic performance, the CSSPS chief highlighted that roughly 17 per cent of candidates, representing approximately 107,000 students, secured aggregate scores between six and 18.
“If you look at the data on the performance of the candidates, we only had about 17 per cent of the candidates getting from aggregate six to 18. In absolute figures, you are talking about 107,000,” he said.
He added that roughly 252,000 candidates, accounting for nearly 35 per cent of the total sit-in population, achieved aggregates between six and 24.
To ensure a smooth transition and manage potential grievances, the CSSPS has operationalised its dedicated call centres. Mr Sulemana urged candidates and guardians residing in remote areas to utilise these helplines rather than travelling to regional resolution hubs.
“If you are in a district far from the regional centre, all you have to do is call the call centre, let them understand your issue, and that will be resolved for you,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana