The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has revealed that some invigilators are demanding between GHC200.00 and GHC500.00 from candidates to assist them in cheating during the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

As the exams commence on Monday, August 19, with practical and theory papers, WAEC disclosed in a statement that intelligence reports had uncovered organized cheating schemes involving certain schools and exam centres across the country.

According to the statement, some supervisors at various examination centres have reportedly planned to assign teachers to invigilate subjects they teach, raising serious concerns about the fairness of the examination process.

Additionally, WAEC discovered that certain schools had registered individuals who are not legitimate students, further threatening the credibility of the exams.

“The Council has noted with concern grand schemes by a number of institutions to engage in mass cheating during the examination,” the statement read.

“Intelligence information picked up indicates that candidates in some parts of the country are being charged sums of money between GHC200.00 and GHC500.00 in order to receive assistance from invigilators; supervisors at some centres are planning to assign teachers to invigilate subjects they teach; some schools have registered persons who are not their bona fide students.”

In response, WAEC issued a stern warning to heads of schools, supervisors, and invigilators involved in these unethical practices.

The Council emphasized that those caught aiding in cheating or compromising the examination’s integrity would face severe consequences, including the nullification of candidate entries and the cancellation of results.

“The Council wishes to caution all heads of schools, supervisors, and invigilators to desist from this practice as all those involved will be dealt with according to the rules and regulations of the examination,” WAEC warned.

“Examination centres that do not comply with the rules governing the examination will be relocated to WAEC-designated centres.”

WAEC further appealed to all stakeholders, particularly supervisors and invigilators, to safeguard the integrity of the examination by maintaining the highest standards of conduct and reporting any suspicious activities.

The WASSCE examination will conclude on Friday, September 20, 2024.

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