33 Selected SHSs to Pilot Special WASSCE Under Ghana’s New Curriculum Reform
Thirty-three senior high schools have been selected to participate in a special version of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) as part of the rollout of Ghana’s newly introduced secondary school curriculum.
The initiative forms part of ongoing educational reforms aimed at equipping students with practical competencies, critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills required in today’s evolving academic and professional environment.
Reports indicate that candidates from the selected schools will answer examination questions specifically designed around 21st-century analytical and reasoning skills rather than relying solely on traditional memorisation methods.
The Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, explained that the programme serves as a pilot phase ahead of its eventual implementation across all second-cycle institutions nationwide.
According to him, the students involved are not receiving any special academic treatment but are simply the first cohort undertaking studies under the newly structured curriculum, which places strong emphasis on career-oriented learning.
He stated that the curriculum is intended to help students develop specialised interests from the early stages of their secondary education. Learners pursuing programmes related to engineering, medicine and other professional disciplines are expected to follow academic pathways aligned with their future careers.
Among the schools participating in the pilot exercise are Bosomtwe Girls STEM SHS and Abomosu STEM SHS.
Meanwhile, WAEC has announced that 473,658 candidates from 1,020 public and private senior high schools are expected to sit for the 2026 WASSCE across the country. The candidature consists of 248,461 boys and 225,197 girls.
The examination body noted that the figure reflects an increase compared to the previous year’s entry statistics.
Ghana is also returning to the regional WASSCE system alongside other West African countries, including Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, after previously administering an independent national version during the COVID-19 disruptions.
WAEC further confirmed that preparations for the examination remain on course, with the printing of examination materials already in progress.
Attention has also shifted towards the upcoming 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which is expected to be conducted between May 4 and May 11, 2026.
Education authorities have maintained that only approved final-year Junior High School students will be eligible to register for the examination as part of efforts to uphold standards within the country’s educational system.