CAPCOE rejects claims of deliberate bias against private schools in 2026 BECE

The Campaign Against Privatisation and Commercialisation of Education (CAPCOE) has dismissed allegations of deliberate bias against private schools in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). In a statement, the group warned that such claims could harm public trust in Ghana's examination system. CAPCOE, which did not speak for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), explained its marking process involves multiple quality checks to minimize errors and prevent manipulation of candidates' scores.

Scripts are first reviewed by a team leader and then by a chief examiner, with any errors corrected before final scores are entered into WAEC's system. The exam identifies schools using unique codes, not names, making it hard for examiners to discern if a candidate attended a public or private institution. CAPCOE clarified that all candidates are evaluated under a unified national grading system and ranked within a national pool, regardless of school type.

While acknowledging possible technical issues that can affect results, CAPCOE noted WAEC released provisional results while investigating any irregularities. Concerns about private school candidates' performance were partly blamed on overdependence on past questions and mock exams. The organization urged parents to consider the curriculum's shift towards critical thinking and practical application over rote learning.

CAPCOE advised against relying solely on internal assessments and advised using formal channels like requests for remarks and official reviews for result concerns. The group stressed that discussions should focus on enhancing teaching and learning across both public and private schools, rather than creating divisions between them.