Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns over the latest West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results, warning that the performance of Ghanaian students should be treated as a national concern.
In a social media post, Afenyo-Markin said the results reveal serious challenges in the country’s education system and could affect the future of thousands of young people.
“The latest WAEC results must concern every Ghanaian. They show that the future of our children is under serious threat,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin pointed to the performance of candidates in Core Mathematics and English Language.
He said 183,233 WASSCE candidates completed secondary school without a credit in Core Mathematics. He also noted that the credit pass rate in English Language fell to 62.40 per cent, its lowest level in four years.
According to him, performance in both subjects remains below the levels recorded in 2024.
The former Minority Leader also raised concerns about the ongoing placement of BECE candidates into senior high schools.
He said 54,985 BECE candidates were initially denied automatic placement, with reports of some students being wrongly placed in special schools.
Others, he said, arrived at their assigned schools only to discover that there was no space for them.
“We are hearing reports of children wrongly placed in special schools and others arriving at their assigned schools only to find no space,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin questioned why students were struggling to secure placements despite government figures indicating that there are 859,828 vacancies for 623,072 candidates.
He also pointed to the capacity available in 85 private schools participating in the Free SHS programme.
“A self-placement portal is not a school place; every child needs an actual seat in a functioning classroom,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin said the challenges surrounding both WASSCE results and BECE placement could leave more than 200,000 young Ghanaians at risk of being left behind.
He called on the government to provide clear information on the final placement outcomes and the rules and pass marks used in the process.
“Government must stop reacting only when problems become public,” he said.
He also called for increased funding for teaching and remedial programmes, as well as clear alternatives for students who do not obtain the required WASSCE credits.
According to him, such alternatives should include TVET, apprenticeships and skills training.
Afenyo-Markin further called for a national discussion on the challenges facing Ghana’s education sector.
“Ghana urgently needs an honest national conversation about educational funding, teaching quality, contact hours, teacher motivation, learning materials, infrastructure and supervision,” he said.
He argued that the issue should go beyond partisan politics because the consequences affect an entire generation.
The Minority Leader also defended the NPP government’s record on education, including the introduction of Free SHS, Free TVET and apprenticeship and skills-development opportunities.
“The NPP expanded access through Free SHS and created Free TVET, apprenticeship and skills-development opportunities because we believe no Ghanaian child should be denied a future by poverty or one set of examination results,” he stated.
Afenyo-Markin ended his message with a direct appeal to President Mahama to act on the concerns raised by parents, students and teachers.
“The 54,985 BECE candidates need real school places; the 183,233 WASSCE graduates need a second chance.”
“Mr President, parents are worried, children are anxious and teachers are under pressure.”
“When our children’s education is in crisis, Ghana’s future is in danger. The time to act is now.”
