KEY POINTS
- WAEC delays release of 460,000 exam results due to faulty scanners and funding shortfall.
- Scanning of objective answer sheets stalled; Ministry of Education yet to release funds.
- WAEC reports exam infractions, including unauthorized materials and mobile phone use in halls.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced delays in releasing results for over 460,611 candidates in the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates (SC) due to funding constraints and equipment breakdowns.
WAEC officials revealed that the council has been unable to complete scanning the objective answer cards because of faulty scanners. This challenge stems from a lack of funds to repair existing machines or procure new ones.
“WAEC is awaiting the release of additional funds out of an outstanding balance of GH¢118 million from the Ministry of Education to enable the repair of the scanners to carry out the scanning process of the objective cards,” John Kapi, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, told the Daily Graphic.
Funding delays and operational challenges
The council began the WASSCE-SC on August 5, 2024, concluding it on September 20, 2024.
The marking of essays and practical components, which started on November 7 and ended on November 29, progressed as planned.
However, the scheduled scanning of objective answer sheets, set for November 1 to November 30, has stalled.
WAEC appealed for patience from examination officials and suppliers awaiting payments, emphasizing that funds will be disbursed once the Ministry of Education fulfills its financial obligations.
Exam infractions identified
WAEC also highlighted various examination infractions, including candidates smuggling mobile phones into examination halls, photocopying answers, and supervisors distributing unauthorized materials.
WAEC promised disciplinary action against those involved, adhering to its examination rules and regulations.
Candidate numbers and calendar adjustments
This year’s WASSCE-SC saw participation from 460,611 candidates — 247,657 females and 212,954 males — from 1,003 schools across Ghana.
While the other WAEC member countries — Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia — have reverted to the May/June calendar, Ghana continues to operate under a modified schedule introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
WAEC urged the public to disregard social media posts speculating on result release dates, assuring candidates and stakeholders that the results will be published once the current challenges are resolved.
