The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has voiced serious concerns regarding unpaid dues amounting to GHC33 million, which could potentially jeopardize the smooth processing and marking of the recently concluded Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
The issue came to light as Peter Nutsu Kortoe, the Ranking Member of the Education Committee in Parliament, addressed the media, emphasizing the critical financial crisis faced by WAEC due to the Ghanaian government’s failure to allocate timely funds over the past three years.
Kortoe warned that this financial crisis could severely impact the essential process of marking the 2023 WASSCE and BECE scripts.
“For almost two to three years, the situation is becoming very bad. The government is not releasing money to WAEC regularly, and it’s affecting the conduct of the examinations,” lamented Kortoe.
He further disclosed that even the 2022 WAEC examinations have unpaid arrears, painting a bleak financial picture for the institution. “Even the 2022 WAEC examinations are still in arrears; much of the money is yet to be paid,” he revealed.
These concerns were initially raised in August by John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, who cautioned that any delay in the government’s disbursement of funds earmarked for BECE could adversely affect the marking process.
Kapi explained that, at that time, the government had only released 15% of the total payment required for the 2023 BECE, calling for the immediate release of the remaining 75% to ensure the smooth progression of script processing and marking.
As the situation unfolds, there is growing uncertainty about when the necessary funds will be made available to WAEC to enable them to mark the 2023 BECE and release the results promptly. The financial crisis poses a significant challenge not only to WAEC but also to the students awaiting their results and the education system at large.
It remains to be seen how the government will respond to these concerns and whether they will take urgent measures to address the funding issues faced by WAEC. The smooth conduct of examinations and the timely release of results are crucial for the education system’s integrity and the future of Ghanaian students.
Published By: Justice Donkoh | GESHub.org
