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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has assured candidates, parents, and stakeholders that it will conclude its investigations into alleged malpractice and irregularities in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and release all withheld results by February 28, 2025.
At a press conference held at WAEC’s headquarters in Accra on Friday, February 7, the Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, stated that the council remains committed to upholding the integrity of its examinations while ensuring transparency and fairness.
“The Council has been diligently conducting hearings for affected candidates and releasing results where appropriate. We understand the anxiety of students and parents, and we wish to assure all stakeholders that all cases of malpractice will be concluded, and results will be released by February 28,” Kapi affirmed.
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WAEC’s decision to withhold the results of 10,520 candidates stemmed from suspicions of widespread cheating and other forms of malpractice detected during and after the examination process. According to WAEC, some candidates were found in possession of unauthorised materials, while others were suspected of collusion and other breaches of examination rules.
The council’s actions led to legal challenges from affected candidates. On January 30, 2025, the High Court ruled in favour of four students who filed a lawsuit on behalf of the affected candidates, ordering WAEC to release their results.
However, WAEC has since filed for a stay of execution, scheduled to be heard on February 20, arguing that the integrity of the examination process must be preserved and that its investigations must be completed before compliance with the ruling.
The legal counsel for the students, Martin Kpebu, has been vocal in his criticism of WAEC’s decision, arguing that the council failed to provide substantial evidence to justify withholding the results. He contended that the lack of clarity and prolonged delays had left thousands of students in limbo, affecting their future academic and career prospects.
Parents and educational institutions have also expressed frustration over the delay, with some calling for reforms in WAEC’s handling of examination-related disputes.
Many argue that the prolonged uncertainty negatively impacts students’ ability to apply for tertiary education and scholarship opportunities.
As the February 28 deadline approaches, WAEC has emphasised that due process will be followed in finalising its investigations. Candidates who are cleared of any wrongdoing will have their results released, while those found guilty of malpractice may face sanctions, including result cancellations or bans from taking future WAEC examinations.
Stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, have urged WAEC to expedite its review process and ensure fairness in its final decisions.
With the impending court hearing on February 20 and the results set for release by February 28, affected candidates and their families are hopeful that the matter will be resolved amicably, bringing closure to a contentious chapter in the 2024 WASSCE examinations.
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