GES Rejects Adutwum’s Claims Over 2025 WASSCE Performance Dip

The Ghana Education Service has dismissed accusations by former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum that poor management practices caused the decline in student performance in the 2025 WASSCE.

In a statement released on Monday December 1 and signed by its Public Relations Head, Daniel Fenyi, the service described Dr Adutwum’s comments as misplaced and urged the public to disregard them.

According to the GES, the 2025 results simply reflect the true academic output of candidates, not any shortcomings from management. “Management has taken note of attempts by Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum to attribute the performance of students in the 2025 WASSCE to unsupportive management practices of GES,” the statement said, adding that the former minister’s claims do not match the realities of the examination process.

The 2025 WASSCE recorded significant drops across core subjects. Social Studies fell to 55.82 percent, down from 71.53 percent in 2024, the lowest in four years. Core Mathematics saw an even steeper dip, with only 48.73 percent passing compared with 66.86 percent the previous year. The failure rate ballooned from 6.10 percent to 26.77 percent, meaning nearly one in four candidates failed the subject.

English Language held at 69 percent, while Integrated Science dropped slightly to 57.74 percent. In all, 461,736 students from 1,021 schools wrote the exams, a small increase from 2024.

Mr Fenyi said the strict supervision and tougher invigilation this year contributed to the outcome. He noted that several students and some staff were arrested after attempting to cheat. “The 2025 WASSCE was conducted under heightened invigilation, strengthened supervision and strict adherence to examination protocols,” he added.

The GES also pushed back against Dr Adutwum’s claims that teachers’ allowances had been cancelled. It clarified that the Controller and Accountant General’s Department had already explained the delay in November payments.

“It is not true that the GES has cancelled any allowances due to teachers,” the statement emphasised.

The service insisted that the results present a credible picture of candidates’ abilities and show improvements in examination integrity. It added that protecting the credibility of the system remains a top priority.

GES further reminded students that Ghana will return to the international May or June WASSCE in 2026 and urged them to prepare well for the shift.

“Management will not compromise the integrity of examinations and will continue to work with all stakeholders to improve teaching, learning and examination systems,” it noted.

The statement comes as the release of the 2025 WASSCE results sparks nationwide debate over the state of Ghana’s education sector.