The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised significant concerns about declining performance standards following the release of the provisional 2025 WASSCE results. The data reveals a sharp increase in outright failures (Grade F9) across all four core subjects compared to 2024.
According to WAEC, the proportion of candidates who failed **Core Mathematics** has surged dramatically—from 6.10% in 2024 to **26.77% in 2025**, nearly a fourfold increase. **Social Studies** recorded a similarly worrying trend, with the failure rate rising from 9.55% to **27.50%**.
This steep rise in F9 grades highlights a major decline in foundational learning among the **461,736 candidates** who sat for the examination. Core subjects, which are essential requirements for tertiary education admission, experienced the most substantial drops in performance.
In Core Mathematics alone, failure rates rose by **20.67 percentage points**, meaning nearly one in four candidates could not pass the subject. Social Studies experienced an even more severe jump, representing a **188% increase** over the previous year.
The release of the results on November 29, 2025, coincided with one of the toughest crackdowns on examination malpractice in WAEC’s recent history.
The Ghana Examinations Committee imposed strict sanctions, including:
* **6,295 candidates** with subject results cancelled for possessing unauthorized materials
* **653 candidates** whose entire results were annulled for carrying mobile phones
* **908 candidates** with subject results withheld pending investigations
* **158 candidates** whose full results are on hold
* Results withheld for candidates from **185 schools** due to suspected collusion
Additionally, **35 individuals**, including **19 teachers**, were implicated in exam malpractice. Many face legal and disciplinary action, with 19 already prosecuted and penalized through fines or imprisonment.
Even the literacy and science core subjects saw notable increases in failure rates.
* **Integrated Science F9 rate:** increased from 7.12% (2024) to **16.05%** (2025)
* **English Language F9 rate:** rose from 5.88% to **12.86%**
**Summary of F9 Rates (2024 vs. 2025):**
| Core Subject | 2024 F9 % | 2025 F9 % |
| ------------------ | --------- | --------- |
| Core Mathematics | 6.10% | 26.77% |
| Social Studies | 9.55% | 27.50% |
| Integrated Science | 7.12% | 16.05% |
| English Language | 5.88% | 12.86% |
*Source: The Ghana Report*
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