The Ministry of Education (MoE) is considering making public the identities of adults involved in examination malpractice during the recently completed Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
In a statement signed by Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, the ministry said many members of the public had called for offenders to be exposed, and authorities were seriously reviewing the proposal.
“We appreciate the public’s call for publishing all adults caught engaging in examination malpractices in the just-ended BECE, a proposal being considered,” the statement said.
The ministry also revealed that 43 teachers arrested in connection with examination malpractice during the BECE would face legal action.
It warned everyone involved in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates to strictly follow examination rules because authorities would punish anyone found guilty of misconduct.
“The ministry, therefore, calls on parents, teachers, school authorities, security agencies and all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting the integrity of the examination process,” it emphasised.
At the same time, the ministry wished all final-year students success as they began this year’s May-June WASSCE for School Candidates across the country.
Officials encouraged students to stay calm, focused and disciplined throughout the examination period.
The ministry reminded candidates that cheating in any form could result in severe punishment, including cancellation of examination papers, disqualification, and possible legal action.
It stressed that no examination result was worth risking one’s future.
Authorities also warned invigilators, supervisors, teachers, school administrators and outsiders against helping students to cheat during the exams.
According to the ministry, examination malpractice continues to threaten the credibility of Ghana’s education system and must not be tolerated.
“Any individual found aiding, facilitating or engaging in examination malpractice will be dealt with in accordance with the law. The government and WAEC remain committed to ensuring that the examination process is conducted in a peaceful, credible and transparent manner across the country,” it said.
This year, 509,862 candidates are expected to sit for the WASSCE across Ghana. The figure includes 225,274 boys and 284,588 girls from 1,020 schools.
The number represents an increase of 48,126 candidates, equivalent to 10.4 per cent, compared with last year’s total of 461,736.
WAEC is conducting the examination at 1,017 centres nationwide.
