WAEC outlines challenges facing 2022 WASSCE conduct

The management of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) ahead of the conduct of the core subjects of the 2022 WASSCE has said the Ghana version of the International examination is being confronted with challenges.

In a blog post sighted by AcademicWeek, the non-profit-making organization said the conduct of two core papers, Social Studies and English Language will be administered on September 5 and 8, 2022 respectively.

Among other challenges not making the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) School smooth the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says are;

1. Restriction of Access to School Compounds for Monitoring Purposes

Reports reaching the Council indicate that some school authorities have adopted the practice of locking their school gates during the examination period with the aim of preventing WAEC Inspectors and Monitors from gaining access to their school compounds to monitor the examination.

School authorities, especially those engaged in this act, are directed to desist from the practice as such activities amount to acts of examination irregularities.

2. Smuggling of Mobile Phones into Examination Halls by Candidates

A number of candidates have been caught with mobile phones in examination halls. Candidates are reminded that their entire results will be cancelled when they are caught with mobile phones in the examination halls.

The Council wishes to call upon School Authorities, Supervisors, Invigilators, parents and guardians to ensure that candidates abide by this rule. Supervisors and Invigilators are also being reminded of the ban on their use of mobile phones at examination centres.

3. Impersonation

Impersonation cases, which hitherto were not recorded in school examinations are on the increase.  Some impersonators have been arrested in the ongoing examination and are in the grips of the law. Supervisors are directed to deploy the use of the Biometric Verification Device (Vericheck) to identify candidates

4. Syndicate Cheating in Schools

 Intelligence has been received from some school authorities collecting monies from candidates and organising syndicate cheating in their schools. Perpetrators of these acts are being cautioned to desist from same.

The Council has the mandate to de-recognise schools caught engaging in this malpractice. Candidates identified as having colluded would have their results cancelled.

To ensure a smooth and successful 2022 WASSCE, WAEC says it is working closely with the Ghana Education Service, the National Intelligence Bureau and other security operatives to check infringements of the rules and regulations governing the ongoing examination.

“Some hot spots have been identified and monitoring of these centres has been intensified. The Council urges all stakeholders to collaborate with it to safeguard the integrity of the examination,” the organization stated in the post.