2025 WASSCE Shock: GES Sounds Alarm Over Declining Performance, Calls for Urgent Education Reforms
Sharp drop in Core Maths passes, widespread exam malpractices, and policy gaps put Ghana’s education system under intense public scrutiny
- Core Mathematics A1–C6 passes dropped by over 96,000, with the national pass rate falling to 48.73%
- 6,295 candidates had their results cancelled for exam irregularities
- The Ghana Education Service has described the results as a reflection of deeper systemic challenges
The disappointing outcome of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has triggered deep concern about the state of Ghana’s education system, with the Ghana Education Service (GES) demanding immediate national dialogue to address the troubling trend.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness on Monday, December 1, GES Public Relations Officer Daniel Fenyi described the results as a warning sign of deeper structural challenges within the education sector, rather than merely a reflection of students’ abilities.
According to him, the situation is alarming when students spend three years in senior high school only to return with poor outcomes.
He stressed that the results serve as critical data for policymakers and education managers, revealing the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to improve learning outcomes across the country.
Fenyi also dismissed speculation surrounding teacher welfare, particularly claims about the cancellation of the Extra Classes Allowance.
He assured teachers that no such benefit has been withdrawn and reaffirmed GES’s commitment to improving their conditions of service.
The 2025 WASSCE recorded a sharp decline in overall performance, alongside widespread examination malpractices. A total of 6,295 candidates had their results cancelled for carrying unauthorised materials into examination halls. Additionally, 1,066 candidates are still under investigation, 908 had some subjects withheld, while 158 had their entire results withheld.
Core Mathematics emerged as the most affected subject, with A1–C6 passes dropping drastically from 305,132 in 2024 to 209,068 in 2025 — a staggering fall of over 96,000 passes. The pass rate now stands at just 48.73%, meaning more than half of candidates failed to secure grades good enough for university admission.
Fenyi maintained that these figures underscore the need for urgent, policy-driven interventions if Ghana is to reverse the declining standards and restore confidence in its education system.
