Preliminary data from the 2025 WASSCE results and tertiary admissions monitoring indicate that only about 160,000 students are expected to gain admission for the 2025/26 academic year, down from roughly 195,000 last year, raising concerns over a sharp decline in the nation’s tertiary transition rate.
According to a statement released on Friday, January 16, Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) warned that, beyond the impact of exam performance, a significant number of qualified applicants remain at home with their admission letters because they cannot afford the required tuition fees, even as lectures have already commenced.
Eduwatch emphasised that immediate intervention by the Ministry of Finance could prevent the drop in enrolment.
“If the Ministry of Finance were to release funds immediately to absorb the fees of those currently at home, several thousand additional admissions could still be recorded,” the statement said.
The organisation cautioned that without swift action, the tertiary transition rate could fall from about 40% in 2024/25 to around 35%, marking one of the lowest rates in the past decade.
Eduwatch stressed that the risks associated with reduced admissions have been communicated since November 2025 and urged decisive measures to ensure students are not denied access to tertiary education due to financial constraints.
