The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) will not submit evidence of alleged discrepancies in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results directly to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, Executive Director of GNACOPS, stated that private schools would only present their evidence to an independent body if one is established to investigate their concerns.
This decision stems from GNACOPS's belief that WAEC, as the body at the center of the allegations, cannot impartially assess the evidence. The group has raised concerns about the performance of private school candidates in the 2026 BECE. They have also petitioned the Ministry of Education, calling for an independent investigation into the matter.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between private educational institutions and the national examination body. The integrity of national examinations like the BECE is crucial for Ghana's education system and future workforce. Allegations of discrepancies can undermine public trust in the examination process and affect the academic progression of thousands of students. Previous years have also seen debates around examination standards and fairness, making this a recurring issue in Ghana's educational landscape.
Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on August 10, firmly rejected calls for private schools to provide their evidence directly to WAEC. He questioned, “Nobody has said we don’t have basis or evidence. We’re saying we will not give it to WAEC. Why should we give it to WAEC?” He emphasized that the evidence would be released only as part of an independent investigation, ensuring the process is separate from WAEC.
John Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, has denied suggestions that the Council deliberately targeted private schools. He insisted that the allegations must be supported by concrete evidence. Mr. Kapi noted that WAEC staff also have children attending private schools, implying no bias. However, Obenfo Gyetuah countered by asking why WAEC demands evidence while allegedly refusing to release examination scripts needed for independent assessment. He stated, “Mr Kapi is saying he is embarking on an assessment, and he hasn’t seen any script from the private schools. Why are they also refusing to release the scripts of the students?”
The implications of this standoff are significant for the credibility of the 2026 BECE results. A prolonged dispute could delay the resolution of concerns and potentially affect student placements in senior high schools. Decision-makers at the Ministry of Education will need to consider establishing an independent body to restore confidence. This would ensure a fair and transparent examination of the alleged discrepancies. The outcome will influence future examination processes and the relationship between WAEC and private educational institutions in Ghana.
GNACOPS maintains that an independent investigation offers a more credible platform for examining the alleged discrepancies. This approach would determine whether any irregularities occurred in the 2026 BECE results. The group insists that any supporting evidence should be presented to an independent body, not to WAEC itself. This situation underscores the need for clear, unbiased mechanisms for addressing grievances within the national education system.