An official tour of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) centres in Accra today, August 25, by the Head of the National Office for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Rosemond Wilson has uncovered a case of alleged examination malpractice.
An invigilator was caught with a mobile phone containing examination questions at Forces Senior High Technical School in Burma Camp.
JoyNews’ Adobea Asare reported that the incident came to light after Dr. Wilson’s attention was drawn to the invigilator, who was observed to be improperly dressed, a potential violation of examination protocols.
A subsequent interrogation revealed that his mobile phone contained questions for subjects, including Picture Making and Oral English.
The discovery underscores a persistent challenge for the education sector, which has been plagued by recurring cases of exam malpractice.
According to a 2024 report by the Africa Education Watch, exam fraud remains a significant threat, undermining the credibility of the WASSCE certificate and the quality of graduates entering tertiary institutions.
The first core paper, Social Studies, is scheduled for today.
WAEC regulations strictly prohibit invigilators and supervisors from taking mobile phones or any unauthorised materials into examination halls.
Such breaches are considered a criminal offence under the WAEC Act.
In response to the incident, WAEC officials immediately confiscated the invigilator’s phone for further investigation.
The individual has also been instructed to submit a detailed written report to explain the presence of the phone and the exam questions.
A full-scale investigation is expected to be launched to determine the source of the questions and the invigilator’s network, as this is often a part of a larger, organised syndicate.
The school’s administration is expected to cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure a transparent process.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the continuous battle against exam fraud, a practice that not only undermines the academic standards of the country but also jeopardises the future of deserving students.
WAEC has reiterated its commitment to working with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute all individuals found to be involved in such nefarious activities.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
