Total of US$6 million debt owed WAEC settled by GOL

The government settled all debts owed to WAEC before the start of the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certification Examinations (WASSCE), ensuring a smooth and hassle-free preparation for WAEC. The Government of Libera (GOL)’s payment of the debts owed WAEC also means that students preparing for the examination cannot concentrate on their preparation, as the state has already settled their exam fees.

Total of US$6 million debt owed WAEC settled details

President Joseph Boakai communicated the settlement of the arrears to students and all stakeholders on Wednesday. In total, GOL settled a debt of US$6 million owed to WAEC.

The president also revealed that the 2024 budget included US$3.5 million to cover the cost of the exams.

The announcement was part of the president’s 100 days in office achievement. President Joseph Boakai blamed the previous government for failing to pay the examination fees to WAEC on time for previous examinations, which led to the accumulated debt.

The debt put the examination at risk for 9th grade students, who could have missed their examination if the government had taken proactive measures. The government inherited a debt of around $6 million in unpaid fees from previous administrations.

The debt owed WAEC included cost associated with monthly allowances, resettlement assistance, air ticket costs, French language training programs, and other administrative and operational costs associated with students.

During his speech after reaching 100 days in office, he stated that, “We have made strides in meeting our targets in education during our first 100 days.”

Some other notable gains of the new government of Liberia in the education sector within the first 100 days are the payment of scholarship arrears for local and foreign students and an investment in youth capacity building in ICT for the first six months.

Dale Gbatoe, the head of the West African Examination Council (WACE) in Liberia, warned that students risk missing the 2024 exam if the country fails to pay its debts, and the President’s announcement confirmed this.

Prior to the debt payment, WAEC had warned that the government’s failure to honor its obligations to the Council would prevent Liberian students from taking the examination.

“If Liberia does not meet her obligations, it is possible that the candidates for Liberia will not be able to take the test in 2024,” Dale Gbotoe, the WAEC Liberia Executive Director, said in an OK FM interview. According to his disclosures, Liberia owed WAEC a total of US$5.5 million.

“The fees that the government owes in 2023 were US$604,000, but they paid US$600,000, remaining US$4,000,” Gbotoe added.

“We are hopeful that the new administration will make her contribution.”

Under former president George Weah, the government has been paying WASSCE fees on behalf of 12th graders for the last six years to ease the financial burden on parents.

The WAEC boss clarified that the issue is not the WASSCE, but rather Liberia’s contributions to the WAEC. Each country is obliged to contribute to the council, which the government failed under past administrations. “Liberia, as a WAEC member, is obligated to contribute to WAEC headquarters,” Gbotoe added.

In response, Gbotoe said, “Oh yes, it is true that the government of Liberia owes WAEC headquarters an amount of US$5.5 million.”

According to him, the previous government still needs to comply with the council, causing Liberia to fall behind on payments.

“What happened [is that] the previous government has not been consistent with the government’s obligation with WAEC headquarters, so this amount has accumulated over time.”

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According to him, over the last ten years, Liberia’s government has only paid the exam fees but refused to pay its contribution. “We have paid just three times. When the George Weah administration took over, they took over US$2 million; however, because he was not paying, it came to US$5.5 million. President Boakai is now taking over and inheriting a debt of US$5.5 million.”

President Boakai who took office on January 22, 2024, promised that “no car will get stuck in the mud in his first 100 days.” He also promised to reduce the price of imported rice, and reduce the hardship confronting the populace.

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“We will reduce the price of rice if it is high.” During my first 100 days, I pledged to prevent any car from becoming stuck in the mud on major roads.