The Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAPS) has called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to reduce the cost of registering candidates for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to GNAPS, the current BECE registration fees—reported to have increased by more than 20 percent—are placing a heavy financial burden on parents, particularly in the midst of prevailing economic challenges.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 GNAPS Week celebrations in Ejisu, the First Vice President of GNAPS, Justice King Essel, urged WAEC to take into account the economic realities confronting parents and private school operators.
He emphasized the need for greater stakeholder engagement, calling on WAEC to involve GNAPS in future discussions before any review of examination fees, in order to promote fairness and inclusiveness in decision-making.
Justice Essel further argued that with signs of economic stabilization in the country, examination fees should reflect this progress through a reduction in registration costs.
Additionally, he appealed to regulatory and enforcement agencies to exercise discretion when dealing with private schools, noting that the closure of schools often impacts pupils more severely than school proprietors.
GNAPS maintains that a collaborative approach among stakeholders will help ensure quality education while protecting the interests of parents and students.
