New 2026 BECE Exam Fee Hits GHC 350.82 as Private School Parents Cry Out

Government Announces New 2026 BECE Exam Registration Fee; Private Schools to Bear Full Cost.

Ghana’s 2026 BECE registration fee has officially been announced. The fee has increased from GHC 282.35 in 2025 to GHC 350.82 for the 2026 examination. The new amount represents a 24.24 percent increase, and many parents say the rise is harsh and unfair.

The government has confirmed that it will absorb the full fee for all public school candidates. No public school student will pay the official WAEC fee. This support covers the entire WAEC registration charge only.

Private school candidates, however, will pay the full GHC 350.82 registration fee through their parents or guardians. This has sparked fresh concern among families in private schools, who say the increase puts more pressure on household budgets.

Schools to Begin Full Preparation for the Registration Process

Public schools will start collecting candidate details, confirming subject selections, and preparing index forms for submission. Teachers will organize photo sessions and gather all documents needed to complete the WAEC registration.

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Private schools will follow the same steps. Administrators will collect biodata, verify Continuous Assessment scores and guide students through the registration process. Both school types are expected to begin early preparations to avoid last-minute errors.

Extra Charges Expected in Public and Private Schools

Although the government is paying the full WAEC fee for public school candidates, schools will still charge moderate administrative fees. These charges will cover printing, photocopying, passport photos, internet use, corrections, and other expenses linked to the registration process.

Private schools will also introduce additional charges. These will support logistics, data entry, transport to district offices, assessment uploads, and supervision of the registration process. Parents in both sectors should expect these non-WAEC charges.

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Parents React to the New Fee

Many private school parents say the increase is too high. They argue that the rise affects families already dealing with high school bills. They believe the fee hike was announced without considering the burden on households.

Some parents in public schools are relieved that the government is covering the cost. Others say they still expect clarity on the extra charges that schools will introduce.

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Concerns Raised Over Equity in the Education System

Education groups warn that the new fee could widen the gap between public and private school candidates. They say many families may struggle to pay the required amount. They also fear that some students may delay registration because of financial pressure.

Stakeholders are calling for wider consultation and better communication ahead of the registration window.