WAEC Warning To 2024 BECE and WASSCE Candidates

The WAEC Warning To 2024 BECE and WASSCE Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has served a warning to students and candidates of the 2024 BECE and WASSCE over the pasting of religious stickers in their answer booklets.

Mrs. Wendy E. Addy-Lamptey, the Head of WAEC’s National Office, addressed this issue during the WAEC Distinction Award Ceremony for the 2023 WASSCE for School Candidates. She emphasized that this behavior is considered cheating and will be punished accordingly.

Mrs. Addy-Lamptey mentioned that this trend was noticed during the 2023 WASSCE exams. Four students who engaged in this practice were called in by WAEC but did not respond. She advised students that using religious stickers would not help them succeed in their exams.

Mrs. Addy-Lamptey also highlighted a growing problem of students failing to write their names and index numbers on their answer sheets. This oversight prevents WAEC from processing their results. She urged all students to ensure they include both their names and index numbers on their exam scripts.

Another concerning issue is students seeking post-exam help from examiners by writing notes and including their phone numbers in their answer booklets instead of answering the questions. WAEC views this as a clear attempt to seek external assistance.

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The use of mobile phones for cheating, such as soliciting external help or accessing information through artificial intelligence (AI), is also on the rise. Cheat websites and other devices designed to help students cheat are becoming more common, posing a significant threat to the integrity of the exam process.

Mrs. Addy-Lamptey called on everyone to work together to stop these cheating practices to protect the future of students. She urged the award recipients to lead by example and help fight against exam malpractice.

WAEC is conducting its annual awareness campaign to educate students on the rules and regulations of exams. This campaign aims to remind students that they can pass their exams through honest means. Supervisors and invigilators will also receive training to ensure fair conduct during exams.

Because Ghana’s academic calendar is not in sync with five other member countries, Ghanaian students will take the 2024 WASSCE for Schools exams from August to September, starting with the Visual Art Project on August 5 and ending with Chemistry papers on September 27.

Mrs. Addy-Lamptey encouraged students to study hard and use available resources, such as the Chief Examiner’s Report on WAEC’s website, to prepare for their exams without resorting to cheating.

In 2023, out of over 2.3 million candidates across five African countries, three Ghanaian students won all three top prizes at the International Excellence Awards, showcasing the country’s academic prowess.

Dr. Eric Nkansah, Director General of the Ghana Education Service, also discouraged the use of charms or other superstitious methods during exams, emphasizing the importance of serious studying. He praised teachers for their dedication and encouraged students to take their education seriously.

Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, commended the awardees and WAEC for their efforts to adapt exam questions to changing educational needs. He stressed the importance of empowering Ghanaians through education to effectively use the country’s natural resources. The government has invested significantly in education to ensure no child in Ghana is left behind, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to develop critical thinkers who can solve societal problems.

Top students from various schools were awarded cash prizes, laptops, certificates, and dictionaries. Their schools also received desktop computers and plaques in recognition of their achievements.