Pressure mounts on Education Ministry as private schools prepare showdown over controversial 2026 BECE results

Fresh pressure is mounting on the Ministry of Education as the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has announced plans to present a formal petition demanding an independent review of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results amid allegations of unfair assessment of private school candidates.

The petition, scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, is expected to draw private school proprietors, teachers, parents, learners, and other education stakeholders to the Ministry of Education in Accra, where they will call for what the Council describes as fairness, transparency, accountability, and justice in the national examination process.

In an official notice dated August 6 and signed by its National Executive Director, Obenfo Nana Kwasi Gyetuah, GNACOPS said the decision follows persistent concerns over the outcome of the 2026 BECE and the alleged treatment of candidates from private schools.

According to the Council, the petition is being organized in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) and other stakeholders committed to protecting the credibility of Ghana's educational assessment system.

The exercise, scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., is expected to be peaceful, with participants urged to demonstrate responsibly while pressing home their demands for an independent review of the examination assessment process.

GNACOPS has also encouraged participants to carry placards bearing messages including "Every Child Deserves a Fair Assessment," "Review the 2026 BECE Assessment Process," "Justice for Every BECE Candidate," "Fair Results, Fair Future," and "Transparency Builds Trust."

The Council believes the petition represents a crucial step toward restoring public confidence in Ghana's examination system and ensuring that no child is disadvantaged because of the type of school he or she attends.

Friday's petition is likely to become a major test for education authorities as calls grow for greater transparency in the release and assessment of the 2026 BECE results.

While GNACOPS maintains that an independent review is necessary to establish public confidence, both the Ministry of Education and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) have consistently maintained that the examination process is credible and have urged anyone with evidence of irregularities to submit it through the appropriate channels.

The outcome of the petition is expected to be closely watched by thousands of parents, candidates, school operators, and education stakeholders across the country.