Stay calm and avoid malpractice — Education Ministry urges 2026 WASSCE candidates

The Ministry of Education has urged candidates sitting for the 2026 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to remain calm and focused throughout the examination period.

A total of 509,862 candidates made up of 225,274 boys and 284,588 girls from 1,020 schools are sitting for the examination this year.

The figure represents an increase of 48,126 candidates, equivalent to a 10.4 per cent rise compared to last year’s entry figure of 461,736.

The examination began across 1,017 centres nationwide with Oral English on Wednesday, May 13.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Abas Apaak, the ministry cautioned candidates against engaging in examination malpractice.

“Candidates are urged to remain calm, focused, and disciplined throughout the examination period. Students must believe in their abilities and trust the preparation they have received over the years,” the statement read in part.

The ministry further warned that candidates caught cheating would face severe sanctions including cancellation of papers, disqualification and possible legal action.

“Candidates are reminded that involvement in any form of cheating can result in serious consequences, including cancellation of papers, disqualification, and possible legal sanctions. No examination result is worth jeopardizing one’s future,” portions of the statement added.

The ministry also cautioned invigilators, supervisors, teachers and school authorities against aiding examination malpractice.

It revealed that 43 teachers were arrested during the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) over alleged examination malpractice and would face the law.

The Ministry of Education further assured the public of government’s commitment to ensuring a credible, peaceful and transparent examination process across the country.