GES bans over 40 invigilators ahead of BECE 2026
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has barred more than 40 invigilators from participating in the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in a decisive move to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to the system.
The sanctions follow investigations into misconduct during the 2025 BECE, where several officials were found to have aided cheating in various forms, raising serious concerns about fairness and integrity.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on April 30, the Director-General of GES, Ernest Kofi Davis, stated:
“On the issue of punishment for teachers who were aiding and cheating, asking them not to do anything with examinations is the least of the punishment. We are processing them, and once everything is in, we will be taking them to the appropriate councils and boards to be sanctioned."
Breakdown of Offences
According to GES, the offences committed by the sanctioned invigilators include:
17 cases involving mobile phone-related malpractice, including sharing devices with candidates
13 cases of distributing prepared answers to students
6 cases of invigilators actively solving questions inside exam halls
4 cases involving possession of unauthorised materials
3 cases of coordinated cheating schemes
1 case involving an attempted bribe by a parent
GES confirmed that beyond the ban, further disciplinary and legal action is being pursued against those found culpable.
READ MORE: GES warns against BECE ‘apor’ as 620,000 candidates prepare for exams
Over 620,000 Candidates to Sit BECE 2026
The crackdown comes as Ghana prepares for the 2026 BECE, with 620,141 candidates expected to sit the exams nationwide.
304,349 boys
315,792 girls
From 20,395 schools
This represents a 2.7% increase compared to the 603,328 candidates recorded in 2025.
Major Changes to School Selection Process
GES has also announced key reforms to the Senior High School (SHS) selection process.
For the first time:
Candidates will complete their final school selection after the release of BECE results.
The selection process will begin immediately after exams, but final submission will be delayed.
Professor Davis explained:
“Selection will finally be submitted to GES and, for that matter, CSSPS for processing after the results have been released. However, the process will start immediately after the examinations."
He added:
“We think it is doable because we are finishing the BECE on May 11. Our calculations suggest that we have 19 to 20 weeks to get the students to school because SHS will open on September 18, 2026."
More School Choices for Candidates
GES has expanded the selection options for candidates:
Students can now choose two category A schools
Total school choices increased from seven to eight
“What has changed this year is that in the previous arrangement, they were given the opportunity to choose Category B and Category C schools as day schools that are not Category A. But now we are giving them the opportunity to choose two Category A schools, in addition to the rest, bringing the total to eight schools instead of seven"
Support for Students in Conflict Areas
GES also assured candidates in conflict-prone areas that arrangements have been made to ensure their participation.
“We have an arrangement with national security to relocate those students to different communities for them to write the exams."
Strengthening Exam Integrity
GES says the measures are part of a broader strategy to:
Eliminate examination malpractice
Ensure fairness across all centres
Restore public confidence in the BECE system
Edem Kwame
Edem Kwame is a journalist at GH News Media covering news and national developments in Ghana.
