The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reported significant exam malpractices in this year’s WASSCE at various centers. John K. Kapi, Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, detailed the types of infractions observed in a press release dated September 26. “The malpractices included photocopying and distributing answers, hiding unauthorized materials, smuggling mobile phones into exam halls, and posting exam questions on social media,” WAEC noted.
Some candidates reportedly went as far as using projectors or writing answers on boards for others to copy. WAEC has stated that appropriate sanctions will be imposed on all parties found culpable, including supervisors and invigilators.
As the examination wraps up, WAEC has yet to disclose the full extent of these malpractices or the timelines for releasing results, leaving candidates and stakeholders on edge. The Council’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process remains in question as the aftermath of this year’s WASSCE unfolds. Will the measures taken be enough to ensure fairness in future examinations? The answers are yet to be revealed.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has successfully concluded the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, which ran from August 5 to September 20, 2024. This year, 460,611 candidates comprising 212,954 males and 247,657 females from 1,003 schools sat for the exams across 1,000 centers nationwide.
The examination process was closely monitored in collaboration with key agencies, including the Ghana Police Service, the National Intelligence Bureau, National Security, and the Ghana Education Service.
Conclusion:
The widespread exam malpractices reported by WAEC in this year's WASSCE exams are alarming and threaten the integrity of the examination process. The measures taken by WAEC to address these issues are commendable, but the effectiveness of these efforts remains to be seen.
To restore credibility and ensure fairness, WAEC must:
- Implement robust security measures
- Enhance invigilation and monitoring
- Impose stringent sanctions on offenders
- Foster a culture of academic integrity
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