Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) is urging a thorough investigation into the sharp decline recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), insisting that only a detailed, subject-by-subject analysis will reveal the underlying causes.

The appeal follows a noticeable slide in overall performance as well as a spike in examination irregularities across several centres.

The steepest fall was recorded in Core Mathematics. Grades within the A1–C6 band dropped dramatically from 305,132 in 2024 to 209,068 in 2025 — a reduction of more than 96,000 passes.

With the subject’s pass rate sinking to 48.73%, over half of all candidates were unable to secure the minimum grades required for tertiary entry.

Discussing the results on Channel One TV on Monday, December 1, Eduwatch’s Executive Director, Kofi Asare, described the situation as alarming, stressing that the data shows an unusually sharp decline.

“The dips are significant. When you look at the trend analysis we conducted, this year’s decline is very deep — and that is naturally concerning,” he said.

“When such drops occur, particularly in specific subjects rather than across the board, it becomes necessary to undertake what I call a ‘surgical knife inquiry’ to uncover the drivers.”

According to Mr Asare, the most urgent requirement is a full set of chief examiners’ reports, which document candidates’ weaknesses, strengths, and common errors.

“Obtaining the chief examiner’s report is essential. It will allow us to pinpoint exactly where candidates fell short and design remedial measures accordingly,” he explained.

“If the decline is widespread, then we must confront systemic issues. But in this case, the dips are subject-specific, which tells its own story.”

Eduwatch maintains that without such detailed scrutiny, policy responses will remain unfocused and ineffective.