CUTS International, based in Accra, is a prominent think tank focused on public policy and consumer advocacy. The organisation has urged the Ministry of Education to intervene and compel the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to eliminate the fees charged to candidates for accessing their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results online.
Previously, before 2004, WAEC printed and distributed physical results slips to schools, which incurred significant logistical costs. However, since transitioning to an online system, these costs have drastically decreased. Despite this change, candidates are now required to pay between GHS 15 and GHS 25 to view their results. This year alone, approximately 600,000 candidates took the BECE, and with each candidate paying GHS 15, this totals around GHS 9 million.
“Going digital was supposed to simplify the process and make it more affordable. Instead, candidates are now forced to pay out of pocket for a service that should be provided free of charge. In several countries, such as South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, and Zambia, students can access their results online without any fees. Why should Ghana be any different?” he emphasised.
Computerised School Placement Also Affected
The statement also raised concerns about the cost burden placed on students accessing their Senior High School placement through the Computerised School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS).
“The placement system was introduced to improve transparency and reduce costs compared to the old manual process. Yet today, students still have to pay just to find out which school they have been placed in. This defeats the very purpose of automation,” Mr. Adomako explained.
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Calls for Policy Action
CUTS is calling on the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to act swiftly and decisively to end what it describes as an illegal and unfair practice starting this year.
“WAEC is not the only body that runs examinations. Students who sit for ACCA, SAT, TOEFL, GRE, IELTS, and even our own national service postings access their results or placements online for free. The same should apply here,” Mr. Adomako stressed.
In a statement released in Accra on Monday, July 7, the West Africa Regional Director of CUTS, Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, described the current system as exploitative and unjustified.
According to him, WAEC’s practice of requiring students to purchase scratch cards to view their results is not only unnecessary but borders on extortion.
“In many parts of the world, exam bodies do not charge students to access their results. In our local universities, student can access their results free of charge, as is the case in every jurisdiction. This is a basic right that should not come at a cost to students or their families,” Mr. Adomako said.
He concluded by urging authorities to ensure that education remains accessible and affordable. The fact that this practice has persisted for 21 years does not justify its legitimacy.
“Accessing exam results or computerised placement into SHS should not be a luxury or a source of revenue. It should be a basic service as it pertains in other jurisdictions.”
Source: Citi Newsroom
