In a recent revelation, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has unearthed a disturbing incident of malpractice during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, disclosed that a staggering 86 mobile devices were confiscated from candidates taking the exams. This shocking discovery unfolded at Otoo Memorial Senior High School in Bibiani, located in the Western North region.
Mr. Kapi, during an interview with Joy FM’s Top Story, shed light on the situation. According to him, intelligence reports indicated that candidates had been instructed to bring their mobile phones into the exam halls.
The reason? To use these phones as a means of communication, as rogue websites were allegedly unable to access WAEC exam questions. This audacious attempt to cheat not only jeopardized the integrity of the exams but also raised serious concerns about the extent of malpractice in the education system.
The consequences for those involved in this brazen act of cheating are severe. WAEC has decided to cancel the exam scripts of candidates who were found in possession of mobile phones during the examination.
Furthermore, candidates who had photocopies of exam questions will also see their subject results canceled.
Additionally, supervisors who were implicated in these malpractices will not escape accountability. They will be held legally responsible for their involvement in aiding and abetting exam fraud.
The revelations regarding mobile phone use during the WASSCE exams are just the tip of the iceberg. WAEC has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the rampant malpractices taking place during the ongoing exams. These malpractices include electronic smuggling, paper leakage, and script impersonation, among others.
Both the National Intelligence Bureau and the Police have been actively involved in cracking down on these illicit activities. Their investigations have uncovered hundreds of students using foreign materials, impersonators, and invigilators collaborating with exam cartels to trade questions for substantial sums of money.
During a press briefing on the conduct of the 2023 WASSCE for school candidates, Mr. Kapi highlighted the enormity of the challenge WAEC faces. He explained that they are meticulously documenting the various malpractices and categorizing them to identify the students, teachers, and supervisors involved in these exam cartels.
While a specific tally of the number of individuals involved has yet to be released, Mr. Kapi emphasized that the numbers are indeed substantial. Schools such as Otoo Memorial SHS, Mountain High SHS, Adu Gyamfi SHS, Only Believe SHS, Christian IPS, and Ideal College have been mentioned in connection with these malpractices.
Source: GESHub.org
