The Ghana Education Service (GES) has issued a firm warning to heads of Senior High Schools and Technical Schools over the unauthorised registration of candidates for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The directive, released by the Public Relations Unit of GES on January 8, 2026, highlights growing concerns about unethical practices that threaten the integrity of the examination system.
According to the statement, management has observed that some school heads and officials are illegally registering Form Two students and, in some cases, private candidates for WASSCE. These registrations are reportedly being done outside approved procedures and, alarmingly, often in exchange for fees. GES described this practice as unacceptable and a clear violation of established regulations.
GES was unequivocal in clarifying who qualifies for WASSCE registration through schools. Only Form Three students whose academic progression from Year One to Year Three can be properly traced in the school’s official database are eligible. Any attempt by a school or its administrators to register Form Two students or private candidates has been expressly prohibited.
The Service further stressed that any head or school official involved in such activities is guilty of professional misconduct and abuse of office. Charging money to facilitate illegal registration compounds the offence and exposes offenders to serious disciplinary action.
To reinforce compliance, GES cautioned all heads and school administrators that breaches of this directive will attract severe sanctions. These penalties will be applied strictly in line with Ghana Education Service and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) regulations, with no room for exceptions or leniency.
The warning reflects GES’s broader commitment to protecting the credibility of Ghana’s educational assessment system. By tightening controls around WASSCE registration, the Service aims to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability across all senior high and technical schools.
The statement was signed by Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations at GES, who urged school authorities to adhere strictly to approved procedures and uphold professional standards. As the WASSCE remains a critical national examination, GES has made it clear that safeguarding its integrity is non-negotiable.
