The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has confirmed the arrest of seven individuals for examination malpractice in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across the country.
According to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, the suspects were picked up for various irregularities, with three arrested in the Central Region, and two each in the Ashanti and Bono Regions. Details of the individuals involved are yet to be officially released by authorities.
Speaking on Starr FM’s Starr Today on Monday, May 4, Mr. Kapi warned that individuals found culpable of malpractice would face the full rigours of the law. He acknowledged that despite strengthened supervision and invigilation measures, incidents of examination malpractice persist, compelling the council to introduce additional strategies to curb the trend.
Mr. Kapi further revealed that all seven suspects are teachers. Five of them were arrested for mobile phone-related infractions after they were found with devices containing both examination questions and answers, which they were allegedly using to assist candidates.
The remaining two suspects were picked up for other forms of malpractice, although details of their specific offences are still being verified.
He explained that WAEC typically withholds the identities of candidates involved in malpractice until investigations are completed. However, in this case, the suspects are invigilators and teachers, making the situation more serious.
Mr. Kapi reiterated that examination regulations strictly prohibit any form of question leakage or the external circulation of exam materials. “No question should be found outside the examination hall, and no material apart from the official question paper is permitted,” he stressed.
READ: Government launches SEED Programme to turn students into job creators
He added that all suspects have been handed over to the police and will be processed for court in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, more than 600,000 final-year Junior High School candidates are participating in this year’s BECE nationwide. In addition, 156 candidates from neighbouring Togo and Benin are also sitting the examination.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Benjamin Sackey
