Strict anti-cheating measures blamed for surge in 2025 WASSCE failures – Education Ministry

The Ministry of Education has explained that the high failure rate recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is largely a result of tougher measures introduced to eliminate examination malpractice.

Reacting to widespread public concern following the release of the provisional results by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Daniel Fenyi, said the figures reflect the most realistic assessment of students’ academic abilities in recent years.

According to WAEC’s data, only 48.73 percent of candidates passed with grades A1 to C6. Mathematics recorded 114,872 failures (26.77%), while 122,449 candidates failed Social Studies, representing 27.5 percent.

Speaking on Adom News, Mr. Fenyi explained that the decline in performance should not be viewed as academic collapse but rather as evidence that cheating which previously distorted results has been significantly curtailed.

“This year’s performance shows what students can genuinely achieve without external interference. The integrity of the examination has been restored,” he said.

He noted that enhanced invigilation, tighter supervision, and improved monitoring at examination centres made it extremely difficult for candidates to engage in malpractice.

“Unlike the past, reports of cheating were minimal. We enforced the rules without compromise, and the results reflect that reality,” he stressed.

Mr. Fenyi also disclosed that the Ministry will conduct a detailed review of the results to identify learning gaps, improve curriculum delivery, and strengthen teaching strategies across the country.

“Our focus now is to use these outcomes to improve the education system. Credibility and integrity remain our priority, and every student’s grade must reflect their true performance,” he added.