The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has increased the number of examination depots across the country from 169 to 176 for this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). This increase is aimed at reducing the distance to some examination centers, ensuring that the exams start on time.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Dr. Rosemond Wilson, the Head of the National Office of WAEC, stated that all depots have been thoroughly secured to maintain the integrity of the examination papers. “Before the examination begins, senior officers of the council, along with security personnel, inspect all examination depots to ensure they are adequately fortified to guarantee the safety and security of the question papers,” Dr. Wilson explained.
She also mentioned that, in line with the council’s security regulations, the question papers have been printed and packed. They will be sent to the fortified depots in preparation for the examination. Dr. Wilson clarified that the question papers are dispatched in three or four batches during the examination period, with the frequency varying based on the timetable’s specifics.
Commencement
The practical session of this year’s WASSCE for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC) took off smoothly on August 5, 2025, in various senior high and technical schools in the country. The written papers will begin on August 20, 2025, and end on September 19, 2025. In all, 65 subjects will be taken by candidates, with each candidate writing an average of eight subjects.
A total of 461,640 candidates, consisting of 207,381 males and 254,259 females, are expected to sit the examination, which will be conducted in about 701 examination centres across the country. She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to conducting credible examinations, assuring stakeholders that all necessary tests and security measures were in place for a successful assessment.
In line with that, Dr Wilson said the council held briefing sessions nationwide to update supervisors and invigilators on the rules governing the conduct of the examination, “with particular emphasis on extra vigilance to prevent malpractices”.
Cheating allegations
Dr Wilson said the council had intelligence information that some school heads and teachers had allegedly devised plans to facilitate cheating in their schools by collecting money ranging from GH¢500 to GH¢650 from candidates. Those schools, she claimed, also intended to use subject teachers to invigilate their own subjects during the exam. “We are monitoring closely all these allegations,” Dr Wilson said.
While wishing the candidates well in the examination, she reminded them that achieving excellence through honest means was possible. Dr Wilson further urged all candidates to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination, which include arriving early at examination centres and getting seated at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination.
By: Severious Kale-Dery
