The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has clarified that it received GH¢47.125 million in government funding, contrary to the GH¢80 million reported in Parliament. The clarification came after Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyiri, announced the larger figure during a parliamentary session last Friday.
The funds are a portion of the arrears totaling GH¢95.83 million, which are crucial for the execution of this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). The examination, an important educational milestone for thousands of students across the country, is scheduled to start on July 8, 2024. It plays a critical role in determining students’ progression to higher levels of education.
The GH¢47.125 million, although a substantial amount, represents just about half of what WAEC claims is necessary to conduct the examination effectively. According to John Kapi, the Head of Public Relations at WAEC, the council had earlier received only GH¢2.3 million out of the needed GH¢95.83 million. Kapi emphasized that at least 50% of the total funds are required to adequately prepare and administer the exams.
The financial shortfall raises significant questions about the readiness and smooth execution of the upcoming BECE, with implications for the timely release of results as well. Kapi further noted that the received funds have been processed through the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS), but it still needs to be translated into actual cash that the council can utilize.
The lack of financial clarity is putting added pressure on WAEC as it gets closer to the exam period with insufficient funds. This could potentially cause delays or disruptions to the BECE, which is a crucial milestone for students transitioning from junior to senior secondary education.
Funding for education, particularly for important exams like the BECE, is a matter of national significance as it directly affects the quality and continuity of education for young students. The gap between reported and received funds has raised concerns about transparency and communication within government bodies and has also highlighted the challenges in funding education.
