The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has expressed shock and disappointment over the poor performance of students in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), calling the results “unacceptable” and a setback for the nation’s education system.

In a press statement signed by  Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Ranking Member of the Education Committee, the Caucus highlighted a sharp decline in student performance in the four core subjects — English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies — compared to the 2024 results.

Subject 2025 2024

English Language 69% 69.52%

Mathematics 48.73% 66.86%

Integrated Science 57.74% 58.77%

Social Studies 55.82% 71.53%

The Minority Caucus described the drop in Mathematics, which fell dramatically from 66.86% in 2024 to 48.73% in 2025, as “an unfortunate and unacceptable outcome that needs to be examined and rectified.”

Retrogressive Trend Under Current Administration

Recalling past performance, the Caucus noted that WASSCE results before the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took office in 2017 were significantly lower:

English Language: 51.6%

Mathematics: 33.12%

Integrated Science: 48.35%

Social Studies: 54.55%

According to the Minority, the NPP administration implemented policies that improved learning outcomes between 2017 and 2024.

They argue that the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government has failed to build on these gains, instead presiding over a “retrogressive reset” of the education system.

Criticism of GES Response

The Caucus also criticised the Ghana Education Service (GES) for attributing the poor results to candidates’ “natural abilities” and heightened invigilation.

Describing this explanation as “embarrassing and troubling,” they questioned why Chief Examiners’ reports were not considered before making such claims.

While acknowledging the importance of strict invigilation to safeguard examination integrity, the Minority argued it should not create fear among candidates, which could negatively affect their performance.

They stressed that factors such as teaching quality, curriculum delivery, and resource provision are critical to learning outcomes.

Call for Urgent Action

The Minority Caucus is demanding immediate interventions from the Ministry of Education and the GES to reverse the decline in performance, particularly in Mathematics.

They urged the government to strengthen oversight, provide effective leadership, and take responsibility rather than assign blame.

“The recent performance of the candidates, especially in mathematics, is discouraging, troubling and unacceptable.

Urgent measures must be put in place to reverse this tide in subsequent examinations,” the statement read.