The examination results of candidates who sat for this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will be released a month earlier than in previous years, according to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The examination body said that, instead of August, candidates are expected to receive their results by the end of July.

In an interview with Adom News, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, highlighted the council’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and credible marking process to meet the promised timeline.

WAEC said it is currently collating scripts from all regions across the country for onward distribution to the various marking centres as part of the processes leading to the release of the results.

“Candidates who sat for the 2026 BECE are expected to receive their results by the end of July. We are currently collating scripts from all regions across the country for onward distribution to the various marking centres. WAEC is committed to ensuring a smooth and credible marking process to meet the timelines promised,” he said.

Mr. Kapi also revealed that forty-four (44) teachers, invigilators, and supervisors have been arrested for engaging in and aiding examination malpractice. He stressed that the act remains a criminal offence, adding that the suspects are being processed for prosecution, and reiterated that WAEC will not tolerate such acts.

“Seven out of the 44 suspects arrested have already been charged and arraigned before the courts, while investigations into the remaining cases are ongoing,” he added.

Mr. Kapi reiterated WAEC’s commitment to protecting the credibility of public examinations and ensuring that deserving candidates are rewarded fairly based on merit.

Meanwhile, Education think tank Africa Education Watch has reiterated calls for a restructuring of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), describing the current one as “torture”.

Taking to his official Facebook page on Thursday, May 7, the Executive Secretary of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, slammed the system as archaic, questioning the logic behind examining candidates in 10 subjects over 5 days to determine their school placements, proposing that the number of examinable subjects be reduced to four core areas.

“Piling 10 subjects over a 5-day high-stakes BECE just for sch placement is torture on learners. Reduce to 4 subjects: Math, English, Science & General Paper” parts of his statement read.

He went on to recommend the adoption of aptitude tests and content assessments as alternatives to the traditional means used over the years.

“ Others even use an aptitude test plus a content assessment. This is 2026, not 1996,” he added.

According to him, the arrangement is outdated and does not reflect modern assessment systems used in other countries, where aptitude tests and continuous assessment are incorporated into placement processes.

His comments come amid the ongoing 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination, during which more than 10 students and invigilators have reportedly been arrested over examination malpractice.

The nationwide examination, organised by the West African Examinations Council, is expected to run until May 11, with 620,141 candidates from 20,395 schools participating.

Other stakeholders remarks on BECE

Aside from Africa Education Watch, several individuals, institutions, and other stakeholders have also called for an overhaul of the BECE system. A lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, has been particularly vocal on the issue over the years.

During an interview yesterday, he reiterated his call for a transition away from what he described as a “cruel” system towards one that offers flexibility and gives students ample time to rest and engage in group discussions after each paper. He further suggested extending the examination period from five to ten days, with one paper written per day.

He referred to the examination schedule of University students in Legon, where students are given about three weeks to write about five to seven papers.

Considering the age of the BECE candidates, Dr Otchere suggested that such loads on the 13-15-year-old students are overwhelming and tiring, which tends to negatively affect the performance of the students.