Accra: The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has reported a concerning rise in examination malpractices in the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions. At a stakeholders' engagement forum in Accra, WAEC highlighted that in 2023, these regions recorded the highest number of candidates involved in such activities, totaling 18,504, according to Mr. Daniel Nii Dodoo, Head of the Humanities and Test Development Division at WAEC.
According to Ghana News Agency, the meeting gathered officials from the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education, representatives of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), and regional supervisors to address the growing challenge of examination malpractices. Mr. Dodoo pointed out that the Ashanti region remains a focal point for intervention, with 17,633 candidates involved in malpractice cases in 2023.
Mr. Dodoo further noted that although the Central Region showed lower involvement, an uptick in percentages was observed, prompting the need for proactive measures. WAEC's data revealed a significant upward trend in malpractice incidents over three years, with 29,291 candidates involved in 2021 and 44,586 in 2022.
In 2023, incidents of examination malpractice continued to rise, with 3,667 candidates caught bringing foreign materials to examination halls and 908 using mobile phones for cheating. Additionally, 27 candidates engaged in irregular activities, 478 were involved in collusion, and 39,469 cases of collusion were detected in scripts. Impersonation cases involved 37 individuals, and there was one reported case of assault on supervisors.
Mr. Dodoo emphasized the pervasive nature of examination malpractice in the country's educational system, warning of its serious implications for national security. The issue, he said, is driven by socio-economic pressures, a culture of impunity, and a weak regulatory framework.
Addressing the menace requires collective action from all stakeholders, Mr. Dodoo urged, including raising awareness through media efforts, investigative reporting, and promoting success stories. Dr. Mrs. Rosemond Wilson, Head of National Office, WAEC, reiterated the importance of stakeholders combining efforts to combat examination malpractice, which erodes the credibility of examinations and academic standards.
Dr. Wilson expressed confidence that through shared experiences and ideas, practical solutions could be developed to restore the dignity of learning and ensure certificates reflect the hard work of students, ultimately safeguarding the future of generations to come.