Ghana BECE placement: 55,000 students face exclusion

Approximately 55,000 candidates from the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are at risk of being excluded from Senior High School placement. Sherif Sulemana, Coordinator of the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS), stated that failing either English Language or Mathematics serves as an automatic disqualifier for placement.

Out of roughly 620,000 total candidates, about 565,000 met the requirements for placement. Academic performance data shows that 17 percent (107,000 students) achieved aggregates between 6 and 18, while 35 percent (252,000 students) scored between 6 and 24. In highly competitive environments like Achimota School, approximately 14,800 candidates with aggregates between 6 and 12 are competing for only 1,300 available spots.

To address the potential crisis, the Ghana National Council of Private Schools (GNACOPS) has proposed that the government activate an existing Memorandum of Understanding to allow 85 private Senior High Schools to absorb the unplaced students. Meanwhile, the CSSPS has implemented measures to ensure a seamless placement release on September 4, including the establishment of regional resolution centres and call centres to handle complaints within 24 to 48 hours.