GES Announces 2026 BECE School Selection Dates as Ashanti Region Transitions 59 SHSs to Single-Track System

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially scheduled the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) school selection process to run from July 20 to August 7, 2026. This announcement follows the May examination period, which saw 620,141 candidates participate across the country. In a significant policy shift, candidates will now be allowed to assess their academic performance before making their final selections for second-cycle institutions. Under the new guidelines, students must select eight schools, including two Category 'A' institutions—specifically one boarding and one day school. To facilitate this transition, GES regional directors and education officials will undergo specialized training on the updated selection framework between July 15 and July 29, 2026.

In tandem with these national updates, the Ashanti Region is making strides in educational infrastructure reform, with 59 Senior High Schools (SHSs) successfully transitioning from the double-track system to a single-track model. Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer for the GES, Mr. Henry Osei Boateng, noted that while these schools have moved to a unified calendar, others are currently employing a transitional system that allows entire year groups to remain on campus simultaneously. The full implementation of the single-track system across the region remains contingent on addressing existing furniture and infrastructure deficits. To expedite this, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has requested immediate data on these shortages to guide government intervention.

While structural reforms continue, local traditional observances have also impacted the academic calendar in the Northern Region. The GES mandated the temporary closure of all public and private schools in the Yendi Municipality from July 13 to July 16 to honor the funeral rites of the late Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, Yaa-Naa Abukari II. This decision, made in consultation with the Gbewaa Palace and local authorities, allowed students and staff to participate in the mourning period and Islamic prayers held at the palace. Full academic activities in the municipality are scheduled to resume on July 17, reflecting the service's commitment to respecting cultural heritage within the educational environment.

Finally, the Ministry of Education is addressing critical issues of school safety and discipline. Deputy Minister Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has called on the Ghana Police Service to intensify the search for an interdicted teacher from Bole Senior High School accused of sexual misconduct. Despite the teacher's recent media appearances claiming his actions were unintentional, he remains at large. The Ministry is advocating for the use of digital tracking tools to apprehend the suspect and has announced plans for a national dialogue to improve overall school conduct. These combined developments highlight a period of significant administrative, structural, and disciplinary transformation within Ghana's education sector.