WAEC blames weak grammar, poor reading culture for decline in 2026 WASSCE English results

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has cited persistent weaknesses in grammar, poor reading habits, and the influence of informal language as contributing factors to the decline in English Language performance in the 2026 WASSCE. Head of Public Affairs at WAEC Ghana, John Kapi, revealed that the pass rate in English Language dropped from 69% in 2025 to 62.40% in 2026.

In a discussion on Joy FM Super Morning Show, Kapi highlighted several challenges identified in the Chief Examiner’s report, such as poor control of grammar, weak expression, concord errors, and spelling mistakes. He noted that candidates often struggled with understanding and analysing passages, suggesting that a declining reading culture might be a contributing factor.

Kapi also acknowledged the presence of informal language from social media and Pidgin English in candidates' scripts, though he declined to directly blame social media for the declining performance. He emphasized that improving students' proficiency in English requires a collaborative effort between teachers, students, and the learning environment, stating that students must consistently practice and use standard English to strengthen their proficiency.