Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu urges GES and WAEC to return BECE and WASSCE exams to their original pre-COVID academic calendar at the 2025 WAEC Distinction Awards.
Haruna Iddrisu to WAEC and GES: Restore BECE and WASSCE to Original Timelines
The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a call to the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to restore the academic calendar for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to its pre-COVID-19 format.
The directive was given during the 2025 WAEC Distinction Awards Ceremony, where the Minister addressed education stakeholders and high-performing students.
COVID Disruptions Must End – Minister Asserts
According to Hon. Iddrisu, Ghana’s education system has now stabilised and the time is right to revert to the original school and examination timetable that existed before the pandemic hit in 2020.
“There’s a pressing need to restore confidence and predictability in our academic system. WAEC and GES must work collaboratively to return BECE and WASSCE to their traditional schedules,” the Minister stated.
Related: What the Pre-COVID Academic Calendar Looked Like
The Case for Restoration
Before COVID-19, WASSCE was typically held between April and June, while BECE took place in June or early July. The disruptions caused by lockdowns, school closures, and adjusted learning periods led to both exams being pushed to later months—sometimes into August and September.
Restoring the original calendar would:
- Align Ghana with other West African countries
- Improve university and SHS admissions timelines
- Reduce pressure on students and teachers
- Create room for effective curriculum recovery and term planning
Also Read: WAEC Confirms BECE and WASSCE Dates for 2025
Stakeholder Cooperation Needed
The Minister urged WAEC and GES to begin consultations immediately and coordinate with heads of schools, teacher unions, and parents to ensure a smooth transition to the pre-pandemic calendar from 2026 if not immediately possible.
Conclusion:
Haruna Iddrisu’s directive signals a strong policy push toward normalising academic operations in Ghana. As the education sector recovers from the long-term effects of COVID-19, stakeholders are expected to collaborate in making the transition a reality.
Suggested Internal Links for EducationGhana.org:
- 2025 BECE and WASSCE Timetable Updates
- History of Exam Timelines in Ghana Before COVID-19
- GES Academic Calendar Explained – Term by Term
- How Exam Timelines Affect School Admissions
- Education Minister’s Policy Highlights 2025
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