Over 15 Arrested for Examination Malpractices in 2025 WASSCE.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), working in collaboration with security agencies, confirmed that more than 15 individuals have been apprehended since the start of the examination.
The culprits include students, invigilators, and in some cases school authorities, all of whom were involved in acts that violated examination rules and regulations.
Reports indicate that arrests were recorded at several centres including Yeji Senior High School, Abbott College at Asante Bekwai, and Atwima Kwanwoma Presbyterian Senior High School.
In one of the most alarming incidents, the Adventist Day Senior High School centre in Kumasi was shut down after a number of candidates were caught with mobile phones inside the examination hall.
This discovery raised serious concerns about the scale of malpractice at that centre.
WAEC immediately closed the centre, and candidates were moved to the Council’s regional office, where they were placed under tighter monitoring conditions to continue with their papers. The move was intended not only to secure the integrity of the examination but also to send a strong warning that the use of unauthorized devices would not be tolerated.
The malpractice cases are not limited to possession of mobile phones. Some of the arrests involve impersonation, where individuals attempted to sit for the examination on behalf of registered candidates. In Kasoa, three impersonators were prosecuted, with two of them receiving six-month prison sentences and the third handed an eight-month sentence. These swift court rulings highlight the seriousness with which authorities are handling WASSCE-related offences this year.
In Kukurantumi, the situation took a different turn when a school proprietor and a teacher were arrested for managing a WhatsApp group that was used to share leaked questions and answers with candidates.
The arrests shocked the education community, as the individuals involved were supposed to be role models guiding students towards academic success. In another case reported from Abura Dunkwa, an impersonator identified as Ebenazer Fynn was apprehended and is currently under police investigation.
WAEC has stressed that such incidents of malpractice are a threat to the credibility of the examination and the value of the certificates awarded to successful candidates.
John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, explained that the Council has deployed monitoring teams nationwide to ensure strict compliance with examination rules.
He noted that security has been tightened at examination centres to reduce the chances of malpractice and to discourage those who may attempt to break the rules. He further warned that schools or centres found to be complicit in examination misconduct will be placed under close scrutiny, and in extreme cases, results from those centres may be withheld or even cancelled.
The arrests and sanctions serve as a reminder of WAEC’s zero-tolerance approach to examination malpractice. Beyond protecting the sanctity of the examination process, the Council aims to preserve the reputation of certificates issued, ensuring that they truly reflect the abilities of candidates who earn them.
WAEC has reassured parents, students, and the general public that it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of fairness and credibility in the conduct of the WASSCE.
The Council has also called on teachers, parents, and candidates to play their part by respecting the rules and avoiding shortcuts that could jeopardize their academic futures.
The 2025 WASSCE continues under heightened monitoring, with security presence increased at centres across the country. The recent arrests have sent a strong signal that examination malpractice will not go unpunished. For WAEC, the task is not only to administer examinations but also to protect the integrity of an assessment system that shapes the educational and professional futures of thousands of young people each year.
Comments
Post a Comment