The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has raised the alarm over rising exam malpractice, spotlighting the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions as the worst-affected areas in the country.
In 2023 alone, 18,504 candidates were found to have engaged in various forms of cheating. Early indicators for 2024 suggest the problem is not abating.
At a recent stakeholders’ forum, Daniel Nii Dodoo, Head of Humanities at WAEC’s Test Division, warned that the surge in malpractice threatens not just academic integrity but national security. “It undermines institutions and erodes public trust,” he said, calling for immediate intervention in hotspot regions.
Dodoo emphasized that while the Ashanti Region continues to record significant irregularities, the Bono areas now lead in confirmed cases. He clarified that the data is not meant to stigmatize any area but to prompt targeted interventions by regional education directors.
He urged stricter enforcement of regulations and tighter monitoring across schools: “Unchecked malpractice devalues certificates and risks exposing underqualified individuals in the job market.”
The Council also listed modern cheating tactics, including the use of phones, AI platforms, and photocopied answer sheets. Some candidates even smuggle foreign materials into exam halls.
WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, underscored the role of evolving technologies in fueling the trend and warned that without strong cooperation from stakeholders—including the Ghana Education Service, school heads, and local authorities—the education system’s credibility is at risk.
WAEC states that a coordinated national response is crucial to restoring integrity and safeguarding the future of Ghana’s students.
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