NCCA Takes Strong Stands
The curriculum authority has warned pre-tertiary schools against using assessment without approval, threatening sanctions for institutions that flout the directive.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) has directed all heads of pre-tertiary schools to stop the use of unapproved assessment items and mock examination papers, citing growing concerns over the circulation of materials produced by unapproved consortia, institutions and individuals. The directive, contained in a public notice dated August 7, 2026, places schools on notice that assessment materials must meet the approval requirements of the statutory body before they are administered to pupils and students.
NaCCA said it had observed with serious concern the continued use of assessment items and mock examinations developed by unapproved entities across the country. According to the Council, the practice has raised concerns about the quality, credibility and appropriateness of assessment materials being administered in Ghana’s pre-tertiary education system.
The Council stressed that it is the statutory body mandated to approve all assessment items and tasks for pre-tertiary schools in Ghana, making its approval a necessary requirement before such materials can be used in schools. It therefore cautioned schools against independently sourcing or administering externally developed assessment items or tasks where the materials have not been properly vetted and approved.
NaCCA has therefore directed all heads of pre-tertiary schools to comply with the directive with immediate effect, signalling a stricter approach towards the preparation and administration of school-based assessments and mock examinations. The directive covers assessment materials produced for use in pre-tertiary institutions, including mock examinations and other assessment tasks.
The Council’s position means that schools, teachers and administrators are expected to exercise greater caution when procuring examination papers or other assessment materials from external bodies. NaCCA warned that schools that procure, administer or facilitate the use of unapproved assessment materials will be liable to appropriate regulatory sanctions. The warning places responsibility not only on schools that directly administer such materials but also on those that facilitate their acquisition or use.
The notice suggests that the proliferation of examination and assessment materials from different organisations has become a matter of regulatory concern. With schools regularly using mock examinations and other assessment exercises to prepare learners for major examinations, NaCCA’s directive seeks to ensure that such materials conform to approved curricular and assessment standards.
The Council’s intervention could also affect organisations and individuals that prepare and distribute examination papers to schools without securing the required approval. NaCCA did not specify in the notice the exact sanctions that could be imposed on institutions found in breach of the directive. It, however, made clear that appropriate regulatory action would be taken against schools that disregard the requirement. The directive takes immediate effect.
By: Joyce Owusu
