The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has arrested 19 supervisors and invigilators across six regions for alleged involvement in examination malpractice during the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Ten of those apprehended are from the Ashanti Region, three from Eastern, two each from Bono and Central, and one apiece from Greater Accra and Western. The two suspects from Bono have already been prosecuted and fined GH¢2,400 each, while the remaining individuals have been handed over to the police for court proceedings, according to WAEC sources.
In response, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has issued a stern warning to all stakeholders in the conduct of the 2026 BECE—including candidates, teachers, school heads, invigilators, and supervisors—against any form of malpractice. Despite earlier cautions, he noted that ‘some unscrupulous persons have decided to do otherwise.’ A statement signed by Deputy Minister Dr. Clement Apaak emphasised: ‘We are of the firm conviction that any individual complicit in examination malpractice is an enemy of the state and will be dealt with ruthlessly.’
Enemy of the State
The statement said any candidate found cheating, whether through possession of unauthorised materials, collusion or seeking external assistance, risked having his/her results cancelled. “Teachers, invigilators, supervisors and school authorities who aid, abet or ignore malpractice will face severe consequences, including dismissal, interdiction and possible prosecution. Professional misconduct during national examinations will not be excused.
“Our resolve to boldly address the dangerous phenomenon of examination malpractice is an affirmation of the government’s firm commitment to protecting the integrity of national examinations, and any malpractice will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the statement stressed.
Previous cases
It reminded those who thought they could get away with compromising the national examinations, and thereby corrupt the learners, to be guided by the plight of those who tried such last year. The statement said that of the 40 persons caught involved in facilitating cheating last year, eight had been convicted and sentenced, and 32 were still being processed by the appropriate entities and courts.
It added that the eight convicted persons had automatically lost their jobs, “because they are unfit to be teachers and will be taken off the payroll of the Ghana Education Service, as announced by the Minister for Education”. The statement said the ministry, in collaboration with the GES, WAEC, and the security agencies, had deployed strict monitoring and enforcement measures across all 2,303 examination centres.
“Any attempt to compromise the integrity of the 2026 BECE will attract immediate and severe sanctions. We take this opportunity to again wish the candidates the best of luck,” the statement concluded.
Source: GraphicOnline.com
