Gov’t asked to reset BECE registration cost after 22.24% increase

The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has called on the government to reverse the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) proposed 22.24% increase in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) registration fees.

“As a listening government, we plead with you to reset the BECE registration charges to reflect the prevailing economic realities,” the President of GNAPS, Professor Damasus Tuurosong, said.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 GNAPS Week celebration, he said, “What is the essence of reporting a 3.8% inflation rate and reduced petroleum prices if examination registration fees rise by over 22%?”

He urged the central government to reduce the registration fees to meet the current economic situation, as these escalating fees place a significant financial burden on private schools and their students.

The 2025 Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) week event was celebrated under the theme “Resetting Ghana’s 21st Century Education: Embracing the Creative Role of Private Schools.”

The Ghana National Association of Private Schools’ call for the government to reverse the 22.24 increase in the 2025 BECE registration fee comes after the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) said it cannot be adjusted.

At a meeting with officials from the Private School Association, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) maintained that they are constrained by the approved fee structure and cannot unilaterally adjust fees.

The Examinations Council suggested that the Ghana National Association of Private Schools should lead advocacy efforts to secure financial support from the government, NGOs, or corporate bodies for needy students.

Inline with the West African Examinations Council, the Minister of Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has said the request for the WAEC to maintain the 2024 BECE registration fee would not be possible.

He, however, has directed the Private Schools Association to collaborate with the Education Ministry’s Budget Officer to compile and submit detailed data on the total cost incurred by private schools per BECE candidate.

In other news, the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has slated the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to take place from Monday, May 4 to Monday, May 11, 2026.

Prospective candidates are expected to write two subjects each day from Monday to Friday, while the final subject, which is Arabic, will be written on Monday, the last day of the examination.

This will be the second time the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will conduct the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for 6 days instead of the usual 5 days.

The West African Examinations Council has yet to release the final 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable. Candidates will commence the national examination with Social Studies and Computing on the first day of the examination.