Private schools accuse WAEC of unfair grading, demand review of 2026 BECE marking

The Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has called on the Ministry of Education to establish an independent committee to review the marking of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), alleging that candidates from private schools were unfairly graded compared to their counterparts in public schools.

Speaking on GTV on Tuesday, August 4, the Executive Director of GNACOPS, Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, said the Council had gathered what he described as credible evidence indicating that the grades awarded to many private school candidates do not accurately reflect their academic performance or continuous assessment records.

According to him, GNACOPS submitted the continuous assessment records of learners through the Ghana Education Service and therefore has sufficient data to question the outcome of the examination.

“We are the people that submitted the continuous assessment records to the ministry through the Ghana Education Service on these learners. So, when we come out to say that the examination results issued by WAEC are not a true reflection of the academic performance of these learners, we know exactly what we are saying,” he said.

“And so, we have evidence here, data to prove that the grades issued to the learners do not commensurate with or reflect their academic performance over the years.”

Mr Gyetuah disclosed that more than 14,000 private schools had raised concerns since GNACOPS invited feedback from its members last weekend.

He said the Council has prepared a petition to be presented to the Minister of Education, accompanied by affected students and their parents.

“Our main argument, or the relief that we are seeking, is that in order not to disrupt the academic career of these learners, the ministry should set up an independent review committee to review the work that WAEC has done. Over the years, WAEC has been a master and a servant to itself. It is now time we demand accountability for the work it has done,” he stated.

The GNACOPS Executive Director also called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to make candidates' examination scripts available for independent scrutiny, arguing that greater transparency would help restore public confidence in the examination process.

He further revealed that GNACOPS has been invited to appear before Parliament's Education Committee to present its evidence and concerns.

In the meantime, he said member schools have been directed to provide counselling and psychological support to students affected by the disputed results while efforts continue to seek a resolution.

Responding to the concerns, Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu urged GNACOPS to submit credible evidence if it believes there were irregularities in the marking process.

“I am not responsible for the conduct of exams. The West African Examinations Council is,” Mr Iddrisu said during an appearance on GTV's Breakfast Show on Tuesday.

“I understand that the private schools are very unhappy. Justifiably, what they should do is to reach out to me with legitimate evidence of any underhandedness that undermined the integrity of the examinations.”

The Minister maintained that unless evidence of wrongdoing is presented, the BECE results should be regarded as the outcome of a properly conducted examination by WAEC.