By: Enock Ankomah
Four candidates at the Accra Girls Senior High School BECE Centre have been apprehended for engaging in examination malpractice during a monitoring exercise by officials of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The Head of WAEC’s National Office in Accra, Dr. Rosemond Wilson, who led the inspection team, described the incident as a reminder of the persistent challenges facing the conduct of public examinations. She stressed the urgent need for heightened vigilance across all examination centres, urging supervisors and invigilators to strictly enforce regulations to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
According to Dr. Wilson, while isolated cases of malpractice have been recorded, the general conduct of the examinations across centres visited remains smooth and orderly. She noted that most candidates are writing under conducive conditions, with adequate supervision and adherence to established guidelines.
However, she pointed out a minor logistical setback involving candidates who required large-print question papers. Dr. Wilson explained that although school authorities had been directed to collect such materials from designated depots ahead of the examinations, some failed to comply. Despite this oversight, she indicated that the affected candidates were able to proceed without significant difficulty, as they confirmed they could read the standard print.
On issues of inclusivity and candidate welfare, Dr. Wilson highlighted provisions made for pregnant candidates, stating that WAEC ensures tailored support depending on individual needs. These measures include access to healthcare personnel and flexible arrangements where necessary to ensure such candidates are not disadvantaged.
She added that while comprehensive data on absenteeism and the number of pregnant candidates is not immediately available, the Council is in the process of verifying figures, which will be released in due course.
Dr. Wilson reaffirmed WAEC’s commitment to maintaining the credibility of its examinations and called on all stakeholdersincluding school authorities, parents, and candidates to uphold honesty and discipline throughout the examination period.
