The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has instructed tertiary institutions to discontinue the practice of making entrance examinations a compulsory condition for admission, stressing that entry into universities and other tertiary institutions must be based on approved minimum requirements, with WASSCE results as the main qualification.

The Commission said some institutions have introduced mandatory entrance tests as part of their admission processes, a move it believes goes against the country’s established admissions framework and could restrict equal access to tertiary education.

In a statement issued in line with its mandate under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), GTEC reminded tertiary institutions that it has the responsibility to set and enforce admission policies and requirements within Ghana’s tertiary education system.

According to the Commission, while entrance examinations may be applied in specific situations, they should only complement the existing admission requirements and must not be used to replace or supersede the minimum standards determined by WASSCE results.

“Entrance examinations shall only be used as an additional component to the prescribed requirements, based on competitiveness and not as a prerequisite that overrides the WASSCE-based minimum entry requirements,” GTEC stated.

The regulator has therefore directed heads of tertiary institutions that have already announced, or intend to announce, admission processes requiring compulsory entrance examinations to withdraw such notices and ensure compliance with the approved guidelines.

GTEC emphasised that following the national admissions framework is essential to promote fairness, openness and equal opportunities for all students seeking admission into tertiary institutions across the country.