Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has announced that the results of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are expected to be released on or before July 31, paving the way for the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) to begin.
Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series on Monday, July 20, the Minister stressed that the release of examination results falls solely within the mandate of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), assuring the public that he would not interfere with the work of the assessment body.
“As I’ve always indicated as Minister, I don’t interfere with the work of assessment institutions of WAEC. It is within their domain,” Mr Iddrisu said.
He disclosed, however, that he had received information from the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) indicating that the results are likely to be released before the end of the month.
“I’m reliably informed by the Director-General of GES that on or before 31st July, the BECE results may be released,” he added.
Government acknowledges placement challenges
Mr Iddrisu admitted that parents and students continue to face significant challenges during the annual school placement exercise, largely due to inadequate infrastructure and the growing demand for senior high school education.
He noted that while government has not yet secured sufficient resources to completely address the problem, ongoing interventions—including the Secondary Education Transformation for Access, Relevance and Results for Jobs (STARR-J) Project—are expected to expand school infrastructure and improve access.
“Justifiably so, in truth, we have not had the resources to respond head-on to this challenge. In order to resolve it, we need adequate resources to expand infrastructure by way of classroom blocks and then lecture theatres,” he said.
The Minister appealed to the public for patience, expressing confidence that the reforms being implemented would significantly improve the placement process.
“You may have to give me another year, then I’ll be better off in resolving the school placement issues,” he stated.
CSSPS to be reviewed for fairness and transparency
Mr Iddrisu revealed that government has established a committee to review the Computerised School Selection and Placement System to ensure that placements are based strictly on merit rather than influence or preferential treatment.
The review, he said, will examine whether the current system adequately rewards academic performance and prevents political or other forms of interference.
“We have had to set up a review committee of the placement system itself and to subject it to questions. Does it respect merit? And is it done on the basis of favouritism? And politicians taking advantage of it to reward protocol and not merit?” he said.
School selection to take place after results
As part of the proposed reforms, the Minister announced that BECE candidates will, going forward, select their preferred senior high schools only after their examination results have been released.
He explained that the new approach will enable students and parents to make realistic and informed choices based on their actual grades, thereby improving the efficiency and transparency of the placement process.
“We intend to run an open, transparent placement system,” he said.
He urged parents to use their children’s results as a guide when selecting schools, noting that the new arrangement would help align school choices with candidates’ academic performance.
“Parents take note, under the weight of the aggregate of your son or daughter, you would know whether your daughter or son belongs,” the Minister added.
Source: joynews
