2026 BECE: Education Ministry clarifies SHS placement for candidates who failed one or two core subjects

The Ghana Education Ministry has clarified that students who failed one or two core subjects in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are not automatically barred from attending senior high school. Hashmin Mohammed, the Ministry's spokesperson, stated that there is no government policy mandating the removal of candidates from the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) due to failing one or two course subjects.

The CSSPS flags these students primarily to aid the Ministry in gathering data on their academic performance. Mohammed emphasized that education, particularly secondary education, is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and urged the government to provide pathways for affected students to continue their education. Options include self-placement in schools with vacancies, participation in a remedial program, or re-taking the BECE.

The Ministry aims to offer alternative routes to keep students in education, citing national security concerns about leaving them without options. They plan to monitor the academic progress of these students, focusing on their performance in previously failed subjects. The clarification aims to alleviate concerns among parents and candidates who may have viewed the CSSPS flags as a permanent denial of senior high school admission.

The Ministry insists that the goal is to provide these students with a viable educational pathway while using their academic data to inform future policy decisions.