Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that the results of the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are expected to be released by July 31.

This will pave the way for the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) process to begin.

Speaking at the Government's Accountability Series on Monday, July 20, the Minister said the release of the results is the responsibility of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and assured that he would not interfere in the work of the assessment body.

"As I've always indicated as Minister, I don't interfere with the work of assessment institutions of WAEC. It is within their domain," Mr Iddrisu said.

However, he said he had been informed by the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) that the results could be released before the end of July.

"I'm reliably informed by the Director-General of GES that on or before 31st July, the BECE results may be released," he added.

The Minister acknowledged the challenges parents and students face during the school placement process, especially due to limited infrastructure and increasing demand for senior high school education.

He admitted that the government has not yet had enough resources to fully address the problem but said ongoing interventions, including the Sustainable Development for Improved Access to Tertiary Education and Jobs (STAR-J) project, are aimed at expanding infrastructure.

"Justifiably so, in truth, we have not had the resources to respond head-on to this challenge. In order to resolve it, we need adequate resources to expand infrastructure by way of classroom blocks and then lecture theatres," he said.

Mr Iddrisu appealed for patience as the government works to improve the placement system.

"You may have to give me another year, then I'll be better off in resolving the school placement issues," he said.

He explained that the government has begun reviewing the CSSPS process to ensure that placements are based on merit and transparency rather than influence or preferential treatment.

"We have had to set up a review committee of the placement system itself and to subject it to questions. Does it respect merit? And is it done on the basis of favouritism? And politicians taking advantage of it to reward protocol and not merit?" he stated.

According to him, reforms are being introduced to ensure parents and students make school choices based on their actual results.

"We intend to run an open, transparent placement system," he said.

The Minister added that under the new arrangement, BECE candidates will select schools only after their results have been released, allowing them to make informed decisions based on their grades.

"Parents take note, under the weight of the aggregate of your son or daughter, you would know whether your daughter or son belongs," he said.