Deputy Education Minister Dr. Clement Apaak has announced that the government has given a lifeline to 53,887 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates who scored Grade 9 in either English Language or Mathematics for them to do self-placement under the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
He stated that the affected students are to select SHSs and programmes for admission.
Over 55,000 candidates who sat the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) failed to secure placement into second-cycle institutions due to poor performance in core subjects.
This was disclosed by the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) Coordinator, Sherif Sulemana, who noted that candidates who failed either English Language or Mathematics were automatically disqualified from the exercise.
He also revealed that out of 620,000 students who sat the national exams, only 565,000 met the criteria for placement.
Detailing the benchmark criteria, he emphasised that passes in both core subjects remain non-negotiable.
“You are disqualified from placement if you have failed either English or Mathematics,” he said last week dueing a media interview.
But speaking at a press conference on Monday, September 7, 2026, Dr. Apaak admonished the affected candidates to take advantage of the amnesty granted.
“To candidates who obtained a score of nine in English Language or Mathematics or in both subjects, the government is providing you with an opportunity to participate in the self -placement.
“We encourage you take advantage of the opportunity and continue your education journey,” the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, said today (Monday) at a press conference in Accra.
