44 teachers, invigilators arrested over BECE malpractices -WAEC

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has secured the arrest of 44 examination officials over various infractions recorded during the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

According to WAEC’s Public Affairs Officer, John Kapi, those arrested include invigilators, supervisors, and teachers who were not even assigned to the examination centres involved.

Nearly all the cases relate to mobile phone offences. Officials were caught using phones to photograph examination questions or sourcing answers through ChatGPT.

Ashanti Region tops offenders list

The arrested persons were spread across seven regions. The Ashanti Region recorded the highest number with 17 cases, followed by the Western Region with nine, and Greater Accra with six.

The Central Region recorded five cases, the Eastern Region four, while the Bono Region recorded two cases and Bono East recorded one.

Mr Kapi disclosed that the two cases in the Bono Region have already been dealt with, and both culprits have been fined.

In the Bono East Region, one invigilator was arrested during the practical component of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while another was involved in the BECE. The invigilator pleaded guilty and was fined, while the other pleaded not guilty and has been granted bail.

Four convicted at Twifo Praso

At Twifo Praso in the Central Region, four of the arrested officials pleaded guilty and were each fined 250 penalty units – approximately GH¢3,000 – with the alternative of one year in prison if they fail to pay.

GES warns heads of schools

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, has issued a stern warning to heads of senior high schools repeatedly cited for examination malpractice.

“Because if you cannot change the situation, then we will change you,” he said at a press conference in Accra.

“If you were cited three years ago, you were cited two years ago, your school was cited last year, then you have no chance this year if you are cited again… we will change you or the situation must change you for us to get others to come and help us improve.”

Professor Davis disclosed that all teachers and supervisors linked to malpractice last year and currently being processed for sanctions have been banned from examination centres. They are also barred from any involvement in the examination process, including marking.

Sanctions, he explained, could include dismissal. “For example, if the person was caught and prosecuted, then that person has a criminal record, so we will expel the person,” he said.

Last year, 35 teachers were involved in such cases. Out of that number, 15 were arrested, 19 were sent to court and convicted, receiving either fines or imprisonment. Fourteen cases remain with the Ghana Police Service.

Public urged to report malpractice

Professor Davis called on the public to report any examination malpractice through GES hotlines: 020-136-0789 and 020-136-0786.

He emphasised that examination malpractice remains a serious challenge, noting: “A student who cheats his way through examination does not have what it takes to progress successfully.”

This year’s WASSCE begins today with theory subjects, featuring 509,862 candidates from 1,020 schools – a 10.4 per cent increase over last year.