Over 461,000 Final-Year SHS Students Begin 2025 WASSCE Today
A total of 461,640 final-year Senior High School (SHS) students across Ghana are expected to sit for this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC), which officially commences today, August 4, 2025.
This year’s figure reflects a slight increase of 1,029 candidates compared to the 460,611 who sat the exam in 2024. The candidates include 207,381 males and 254,259 females from 701 senior high schools nationwide.
The examination begins with practical project work in Basketry, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Jewellery, Leatherwork and related subjects, and will run through to Friday, August 22, 2025.
This year’s batch marks the fourth cohort to write the Ghana-only version of the WASSCE, following Ghana’s adoption of a “new normal” academic calendar post-COVID-19. While member countries of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) — namely Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia — have returned to the pre-pandemic May/June schedule, Ghana continues to run an adjusted calendar that pushes WASSCE into August.
Regional Statistics
Per WAEC’s data, the Ashanti Region tops the chart with the highest number of candidates — 115,982 — made up of 52,813 males and 63,169 females. The Eastern Region follows with 64,225 candidates (28,024 males and 36,201 females), while the Bono, Ahafo, and Bono East regions collectively present 61,773 candidates (27,560 males and 34,213 females).
Other regional figures include:
- Central Region: 53,738 candidates (23,090 males, 30,648 females)
- Greater Accra Region: 45,877 candidates (20,948 males, 24,929 females)
- Volta & Oti Regions: 35,539 candidates (16,729 males, 18,810 females)
- Western & Western North Regions: 33,121 candidates (14,156 males, 18,965 females)
- Northern, North East & Savannah Regions: 29,652 candidates (14,712 males, 14,940 females)
- Upper East Region: 13,976 candidates (5,918 males, 8,058 females)
- Upper West Region: 7,757 candidates (3,431 males, 4,326 females)
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Examination Coordination
A total of 701 examination centres have been designated across the country, each supervised by one main supervisor. WAEC has deployed 701 supervisors, 1,391 assistant supervisors, and 15,391 invigilators to oversee the conduct of the exam.
Government Covers Practical Exam Fees
In a bid to ease the financial burden on parents and ensure seamless conduct of the exams, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has released GH¢15,849,920 to cover practical exam fees for the 2025 WASSCE candidates.
A statement issued by the Head of Public Relations at the GES, Mr. Daniel Fenyi, explained that the funds will be used to procure and distribute essential materials for the practical components of the exam.
“With the release of the funds, GES seeks to facilitate a smooth and well-coordinated examination process that enables students to focus on their academic work, while relieving parents and guardians of any such financial burden,” the statement read.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 WASSCE-SC is a crucial milestone for students aiming to transition into tertiary education or the job market. Authorities have urged all stakeholders — including school administrators, parents, and invigilators — to support a peaceful and fair examination period.
As the practical sessions begin today, the nation’s attention turns to the resilience and preparedness of over 461,000 young Ghanaians writing the next chapter of their academic journeys.
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