The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reported a troubling increase in examination malpractice during this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates (WASSCE).
Monitoring teams deployed to oversee the exam process have uncovered numerous instances of cheating, including impersonation, unauthorised use of mobile phones, and sharing of exam questions and answers.
Despite stringent measures implemented by WAEC and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to combat such dishonest practices, the integrity of the examination process has been significantly compromised.
The range of irregularities reported includes:
-Impersonation of Candidates: Multiple individuals were caught attempting to take exams for others.
-Use of Mobile Phones: Candidates were found carrying mobile phones into exam halls, with many using them to capture images of questions and seek answers online.
-Collaboration Among Invigilators: Some invigilators were implicated in aiding candidates by sharing questions and solutions through digital platforms.
In a recent press briefing, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, revealed that 16 individuals were arrested across various examination centres.
Notably, a staggering 64 mobile phones were confiscated from candidates at one school alone during the Elective Mathematics paper.
Significant arrests included:
-Two individuals at Ghana College in Kasoa were apprehended for impersonation and received six-month prison sentences, while their accomplice was sentenced to eight months.
-A proprietor and an invigilator at Christian IPS, Kukurantumi were found guilty of creating a WhatsApp group to disseminate exam questions and solutions and have been turned over to the police for further investigation.
-Other arrests included candidates at various schools, such as St. Vincent College and Yeji Senior High School, with some individuals evading capture.
Kapi stated, “We condemn these acts of dishonesty on the part of both teachers and candidates and urge all school heads to uphold the trust placed in them by ensuring that their schools stay above reproach.”
WAEC has made it clear that it will take rigorous actions against any school authorities or individuals undermining the integrity of the examination process.
The council has compiled a list of schools involved in irregularities, and candidates’ scripts from these institutions will undergo thorough scrutiny.
In addition to the ongoing investigations, Kapi addressed the issue of withheld Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, indicating that further assessments are being conducted to determine the final outcomes for candidates suspected of collusion.
The WASSCE-SC, which commenced on August 5, 2025, will conclude on September 19, 2025.
A total of 461,640 candidates, comprising 207,381 males and 254,259 females from 1,021 schools, are participating in this year’s examination.
Meanwhile, the BECE assessment took place from June 11 to June 18, 2025, with 603,328 candidates sitting for the exam.
The provisional results for the BECE were released on August 23, 2025.
As investigations into these irregularities continue, WAEC is urging all stakeholders to work collaboratively to restore the integrity of Ghana’s examination system and ensure a fair environment for all candidates.
The council’s commitment to upholding examination standards remains unwavering, as it seeks to foster an educational environment rooted in honesty and integrity.