WAEC Uncovers 6 Exam Malpractices in WASSCE 2024, Hints at Punishments

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in its latest update on the just ended WASSCE 2024 for school candidates has stated it uncovered widespread exam malpractices including students entring the exam halls with photocopies of answers and distributing them as well.

The examination, which started on 5th August and ended on 20th September 2024, was for only WASSCE candidates in Ghana. A total of 60,611 candidates made up of 212,954 males and 247,657 females sat the examination.

According to the press release by WAEC, “staff of WAEC, monitoring agents recruited by the Council, Personnel of the National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Police Service, National Security, the Ghana Education Service, GNAT, and other security agencies monitored the examination across the country.”

“Some Supervisors and Invigilators complied with the rules and regulations regarding the conduct of the examination. Most candidates also adhered to the Dos and Don’ts of the examination communicated to them during the sensitisation of candidates prior to the conduct of the examination.”

Regarding the 2024 WASSCE (SC) exam malpractice, WAEC detailed six (6) ategories of examination irregularities during the 47-day exam period

During the monitoring of the examination, the Council’s inspectors observed a number of infractions on the part of some Supervisors, Invigilators and candidates. Some of the infractions recorded include:

• photocopying of answers and distribution of same to candidates;
•  hiding of foreign material on candidates in the examination halls;
• smuggling of Mobile Phones into the examination halls by candidates and teachers;
•  writing answers on boards for the candidates to copy;
• use of projectors to display answers on the board for candidates to copy;
• use of Mobile Phones to take snapshots of questions and posting of same on social media.

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WAEC has stated that it will take the needed measures if any one (candidates, schools, invigilators et al) are found to have compromised the intergrity of the examination.

“The Council will take appropriate action to ensure that all examination officials and stakeholders who were found culpable are sanctioned in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination.”

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“The Council wishes to express its sincere gratitude to all stakeholders who blew the whistle on a number of institutions who planned to cheat during the examination and to reiterate its commitment to the conduct of credible examinations at all levels despite the challenges.”

The WASSCE 2024 examination results are not expected until later December, 2024, while successful candidates are expected to start the tertiary education in January 2025.