Ghana's National Exams: Ayawaso East Targets 100% BECE Success as 2026 WASSCE Commences

Ghana's education sector is witnessing a significant period of assessment as local districts strive for excellence in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) while the nation prepares for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). In the Ayawaso East Municipality, education officials have set an ambitious target for a 100% pass rate, reflecting a broader national commitment to improving academic outcomes. Simultaneously, over half a million senior high school students are preparing to rejoin their West African peers for the WASSCE, marking a return to the traditional May-June examination calendar after years of pandemic-related adjustments.

Dr. William Komla Tsekpo, the Municipal Education Director for Ayawaso East, has expressed high confidence in the current cohort of BECE candidates. Aiming to improve upon the previous success rate of 92.3%, Dr. Tsekpo oversaw the registration of 1,176 candidates from 32 schools, comprising 12 public and 20 private institutions. Although there was a slight decrease from the 1,200 candidates registered in the previous year and a few recorded absences due to pregnancy or relocation, the director emphasized that the preparation levels among students and staff remained exceptionally high across the five designated examination centers.

A key highlight of the BECE administration in Ayawaso East has been the maintenance of strict examination integrity. Dr. Tsekpo reported that no cases of examination malpractice were recorded during the period, a success he attributed to effective supervision and rigorous preparation. He lauded the collaborative efforts of local education directors, the Ghana Police Service, and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for ensuring a smooth and transparent process. This culture of discipline is viewed as a critical foundation for students as they transition to the next phase of their academic journey.

On the national stage, the 2026 WASSCE for School Candidates is set to begin with Oral English, involving a massive cohort of 509,862 students across the country. The candidate pool shows a significant gender distribution, with 284,588 females and 225,274 males participating. The Ashanti Region leads the national statistics with 127,702 candidates. This year's examination cycle is particularly noteworthy as it signifies the full restoration of the pre-pandemic academic calendar, providing a sense of stability for students, teachers, and educational administrators alike.