The Campaign Against Privatisation and Commercialisation of Education (CAPCOE) has rejected claims of deliberate bias against private school candidates in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The organisation stated these allegations are misleading and could damage public trust in Ghana’s examination system.
CAPCOE clarified that it does not represent the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). However, it disagreed with comparisons between public and private school performance in the examination. The organisation highlighted the robust quality assurance measures within the BECE marking process.
This development comes as concerns about the 2026 BECE results have become widespread. Private school associations have raised issues regarding alleged discrepancies in grades. These concerns underscore ongoing debates about equity and standards within Ghana's education sector, impacting thousands of students and their families.
Mr. Richard Kwashie Kovey, Convener for CAPCOE, signed a statement affirming the organisation's position. The statement was also copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA). CAPCOE stressed that the BECE marking process includes several layers of quality control. This process aims to minimise errors and prevent any manipulation of candidates' scores.
The marking procedure involves an examiner marking a script, followed by vetting from a team leader. A chief examiner then reviews the script, correcting any identified errors or anomalies. This multi-stage review happens before final scores are entered into WAEC’s system. Objective-test papers are marked electronically, with scores automatically linked to candidates’ index numbers.
CAPCOE further explained that examination scripts identify schools using unique codes, not school names. This system makes it impossible for examiners to know if a candidate attends a public or private school. All BECE candidates are assessed under the same national grading system. They are ranked within a national pool, regardless of their school type.
The organisation acknowledged that technical challenges can sometimes affect examination results. WAEC initially releases provisional results while investigating malpractice and other irregularities. CAPCOE attributed some private school candidates' performance issues to overreliance on past questions and mock examinations. The current curriculum prioritises critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical knowledge application over rote learning.
CAPCOE urged parents not to rely solely on internal school examinations and mock results. These assessments are conducted under different conditions than the national examination. The organisation called on the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) and the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) to use established procedures. These include requests for remarks and official reviews for any concerns about results.
Concerns should be channelled through appropriate mechanisms, not through allegations that erode public trust. CAPCOE emphasised that discussions around the 2026 BECE should focus on improving teaching and learning outcomes. This focus should apply across both public and private schools, avoiding divisions between the sectors. This approach ensures a stronger educational foundation for all Ghanaian students.