WAEC uncovers mass cheating attempts ahead of 2024 WASSCE
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has uncovered attempts by some schools to engage in organized cheating during the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
As the exams are set to begin on Monday, August 19, with Practical and Theory Papers, WAEC issued a statement on Monday revealing that intelligence reports have exposed plans by certain schools to facilitate cheating.
According to WAEC, some candidates in various regions are being asked to pay between GHC200.00 and GHC500.00 in exchange for assistance from compromised invigilators.
The statement also disclosed that some supervisors at specific examination centres have schemed to assign teachers to invigilate subjects they teach, raising concerns about fairness.
Additionally, WAEC discovered that some schools have registered individuals who are not genuine students of the institutions, further undermining the integrity of the examination process.
“The Council has however noted with concern grand schemes by a number of institutions to engage in mass cheating during the examination. Intelligence information picked up indicates that: candidates in some parts of the country are being charged sums of money between GhC200.00 and GhC500.00 in order to receive assistance from invigilators; supervisors at some centres are planning to assign teachers to invigilate subjects they teach; Some schools have registered persons who are not their bona fide students.”
WAEC has sternly cautioned all Heads of Schools, Supervisors, and Invigilators to refrain from engaging in such unethical practices, warning that individuals involved will face consequences per the examination’s rules and regulations.
“The Council wishes to caution all Heads of School, Supervisors and Invigilators to desist from this practice as all those involved will be dealt with according to the rules and regulations of the examination. The Council will not hesitate to nullify the entries of such candidates and those who manage to sneak in will have their entire results cancelled if found out. In addition examination centres that do not comply with the rules governing the examination will be relocated to WAEC-designated centres.”
WAEC appealed to all stakeholders, particularly supervisors and invigilators, to collaborate in upholding the integrity of the examination by reporting any suspicious activities and maintaining the highest standards of conduct.
“The Council solicits the support of all stakeholders especially supervisors and invigilators in safeguarding the integrity of the examination.”
The examination will end on Friday, September 20, 2024.
