Only about 35 percent of candidates who sat the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) obtained aggregates between six and 24, figures from the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) have shown.

The development means a relatively small proportion of candidates achieved the scores that are generally associated with stronger chances of securing placement into some of the country’s competitive senior high schools.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Coordinator of the CSSPS, Sherif Sulemana, said about 252,000 candidates fell within the aggregate-six-to-24 range.

“You only had about 252,000 or so, or about 35 per cent of the candidates, getting from aggregate six to 24,” he said.

Sulemana further disclosed that the number becomes significantly smaller when the range is narrowed to aggregates six to 18.

According to him, only 17 per cent of candidates, representing about 107,000 students, obtained aggregates within that range.

“If you look at the data on the performance of the candidates, we only had about 17 per cent of the candidates getting from aggregate six to 18. In absolute figures, you are talking about about 107,000,” he stated.

Sulemana said approximately 620,000 candidates sat the 2026 BECE, but only about 565,000 qualified to take part in the placement exercise.

This puts the number of candidates who may not secure placement into second-cycle institutions at roughly 55,000.

He explained that candidates who fail either English Language or Mathematics are disqualified from the placement process.

“You are disqualified from placement if you have failed either English or Mathematics,” he explained.

The CSSPS Coordinator, however, clarified that obtaining Grade 9 in a subject does not necessarily mean a candidate has failed.

He said the standardised grading system takes into account candidates’ raw examination scores when determining whether they have met the requirements for placement.

The clarification is particularly important for candidates and parents who may assume that a Grade 9 automatically means a candidate has failed the examination.

Meanwhile, the CSSPS has activated call centres to help candidates and parents resolve concerns ahead of the placement exercise.

Sulemana said the initiative is intended to make it easier for candidates, particularly those in districts located far from regional resolution centres, to seek help without having to travel long distances.

He urged candidates and parents facing challenges to contact the call centres and explain their concerns for assistance.

“If you are in a district far from the regional centre, all you have to do is call the call centre, let them understand your issue, and that will be resolved for you,” he said.

The CSSPS is expected to play a key role in determining the next stage of education for thousands of BECE candidates as the placement exercise gets underway.

NA/BAI