The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has directed all pre-tertiary schools across the country to stop using assessment items and mock examination papers that have not been vetted and approved by the Council.

The directive, contained in a public notice dated August 7, 2026, follows what NaCCA described as the continued use of assessment items and mock examinations developed by unapproved assessment consultancies, institutions and individuals in some basic schools.

The notice was signed by the Director-General of NaCCA, Prof. Samuel Ofori Bekoe.

NaCCA, the statutory body mandated to approve assessment items and tasks for pre-tertiary schools in Ghana, said no school was permitted to administer externally developed assessment materials unless they had first been vetted and approved by the Council.

“All heads of pre-tertiary schools are directed to comply with this directive with immediate effect,” the notice stated.

The Council warned that schools that procure, administer or facilitate the use of unapproved assessment materials would be liable to appropriate regulatory sanctions.

NaCCA raises concern over assessment quality

The directive is intended to ensure that assessment materials used in schools conform to approved curriculum and assessment standards and maintain consistency in the evaluation of learners.

NaCCA expressed concern over the growing practice of schools relying on assessment materials produced by external entities without the Council's approval.

The Council stressed that its statutory mandate includes the approval of assessment items and tasks for pre-tertiary education, making its vetting process an important requirement before such materials are administered to pupils.

The latest directive therefore places responsibility on heads of pre-tertiary institutions to ensure that all externally developed assessment materials have received the necessary approval before they are used.

NaCCA further cautioned schools against procuring or facilitating the use of materials that have not gone through the prescribed approval process, warning that such conduct could attract regulatory action.

The directive covers assessment items and mock examination papers used in pre-tertiary schools, including basic schools.