In a decisive move to protect the integrity of the national examination system, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially barred all supervisors and invigilators implicated in examination malpractice during the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) from participating in this year’s exercise.
The affected officials, many of whom remain under active investigation, have been strictly prohibited from taking up any roles in the coordination or supervision of the 2026 exams.
The GES maintains that this “cleansing” of the invigilation staff is essential to restoring public confidence and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.
Zero Tolerance for Academic Dishonesty
Addressing a press briefing on the preparations for the exams—scheduled to run from May 4 to May 11, 2026—the Director-General of the GES, Ernest Kofi Davis, emphasized that the service is prioritizing credibility over convenience.
“Investigations into the alleged malpractice cases are nearing completion,” Mr. Davis stated, noting that the final disciplinary outcomes for the barred officials will be determined shortly.
To fill the gap and ensure rigorous oversight, the Service has mobilized 21,791 invigilators who have cleared the vetting process.
Mr. Davis assured the public that these figures, coupled with the exclusion of compromised staff, indicate that the conduct of the 2026 examination will be transparent and credible.
Rising Participation Amidst Stricter Controls
The crackdown on malpractice comes at a time when participation in basic education is hitting record highs. A total of 620,141 candidates are expected to sit for the exams this year, representing a 2.7% increase over the 603,328 recorded in 2025.
2026 BECE Candidate Statistics:
Total Candidates: 620,141
Boys: 304,349
Girls: 315,792
Participating Schools: 20,395 nationwide
Proactive Measures
Beyond the blacklisting of dishonest officials, the GES has launched a nationwide sensitization campaign across all 16 regions.
The initiative aims to educate students, parents, and teachers on the severe consequences of malpractice and its long-term damage to the Ghanaian education system.
Authorities confirmed that all examination materials and logistics are already in place, with the Service standing firm on its promise that those who compromised the system in the past will have no hand in the future of this year’s candidates.
