WAEC releases provisional 2026 BECE results; over 600 candidates sanctioned for malpractice

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results of candidates who sat for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for School Candidates.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, WAEC said the results would be dispatched to schools through the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors of Education. Candidates who wish to access their results online can do so via the Council’s official website.

According to the Council, a total of 620,243 candidates from 20,789 schools registered for the examination. The figure comprises 304,415 males and 315,828 females. The examination was conducted at 2,237 centres across the country, with 3,601 candidates absent.

WAEC also announced sanctions against candidates found to have engaged in examination malpractice following investigations into reported irregularities during the conduct of the examination and the marking of scripts.

The Council cancelled the subject results of 496 candidates and the entire results of 105 candidates. Additionally, the subject results of 119 candidates and the entire results of 48 candidates have been withheld pending the outcome of further investigations.

Furthermore, WAEC disclosed that the subject results of 2,722 candidates from 229 schools have also been withheld for additional scrutiny. It explained that these results will either be released or cancelled depending on the outcome of investigations, which are expected to be completed by August 31, 2026.

The Council advised affected candidates to visit its irregularities portal to check the reasons for the cancellation or withholding of their results and to obtain information on the next steps. It also urged heads of schools and proprietors to follow the appropriate procedures in resolving issues relating to withheld or cancelled results.

WAEC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of public examinations and ensuring that all reported cases of examination malpractice are thoroughly investigated before final decisions are taken.

By: Bernard Mensah