Performance in English Language has declined further in the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with only 62.40% of candidates securing grades between A1 and C6.
The figure is down from 69.00% in 2025, continuing a four-year decline in performance, according to statistics released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The proportion of candidates who obtained A1-C6 in English fell from 73.11% in 2023 to 69.52% in 2024, 69.00% in 2025, and 62.40% in 2026.
In 2026, a total of 315,094 candidates obtained grades between A1 and C6. However, 49,771 candidates received D7, 37,080 obtained E8, while 55,940 recorded F9.
WAEC noted that, unlike Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies, English Language has recorded a consistent decline in performance over the four years.
The decline contrasts with improvements in the other core subjects.
Mathematics (Core) performance increased from 48.73% in 2025 to 60.75% in 2026, while Integrated Science improved from 57.74% to 62.08%.
Social Studies recorded the biggest improvement, rising from 55.82% in 2025 to 78.04% in 2026.
WAEC said performance in the three subjects had fluctuated over the four-year period.
