The 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in West Africa has been marred by several instances of examination malpractice, leading to the arrest of approximately ten individuals. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the body responsible for conducting the examination, has confirmed the arrests and indicated that the suspects will face prosecution. These arrests highlight the persistent challenge of maintaining the integrity of examinations in the region and underscore WAEC’s commitment to combating malpractice. The incidents range from unauthorized possession of mobile phones with exam questions to the distribution of pre-solved answer sheets, implicating various actors including supervisors, invigilators, and external individuals seeking to aid candidates.
Among the arrested individuals is a supervisor who was found to have taken photographs of the examination questions and subsequently shared them on social media. This breach of protocol not only undermines the fairness of the examination but also raises concerns about the security of exam materials and the potential for widespread dissemination of confidential information. The supervisor’s actions represent a significant betrayal of trust, as these individuals are entrusted with upholding the integrity of the examination process. This incident highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms within the examination system.
Another individual apprehended was a fashion designer who was caught en route to an examination center with photocopies of solved questions. This suggests a premeditated attempt to assist candidates in cheating, indicating a network of individuals working to compromise the examination. The fact that the individual is not directly involved in the education sector points to a broader societal issue where examination malpractice is facilitated and even encouraged by external actors. This case underscores the need for collaborative efforts involving not only educational institutions but also law enforcement agencies and the wider community to effectively address the problem.
Additionally, six invigilators were found to have mobile phones containing images of the examination questions. Invigilators, like supervisors, play a crucial role in ensuring a fair and secure examination environment. Their possession of unauthorized materials, especially those directly related to the exam, represents a serious breach of conduct and raises questions about the effectiveness of pre-examination briefings and the level of vigilance exercised during the exams. These incidents demonstrate the vulnerability of the examination system to internal compromises and highlight the need for continuous training and reinforcement of ethical standards among examination officials.
Furthermore, a student nurse and a private school administrator were also apprehended for their involvement in attempting to solve examination questions and transmit the answers to candidates within the examination hall. These cases indicate a deliberate and organized effort to facilitate cheating, leveraging technology to bypass security measures. The involvement of individuals outside the immediate examination environment suggests a deeper, more systemic issue that requires a multi-pronged approach to effectively address.
The arrests made during this year’s BECE underscore the ongoing struggle to maintain the integrity of examinations in the West African region. The various methods employed by individuals to perpetrate malpractice, from using mobile phones to distribute answers to physically carrying pre-solved questions, highlight the need for continuous vigilance and adaptation of security measures by WAEC. The involvement of both internal actors, such as supervisors and invigilators, and external individuals, such as the fashion designer and the student nurse, underscores the complexity of the challenge and the need for a comprehensive approach involving all stakeholders. The arrests serve as a deterrent and send a strong message that WAEC is committed to upholding the standards of its examinations and will take decisive action against those who attempt to undermine them.
The 2025 BECE has witnessed a significant increase in the number of candidates compared to the previous year. A total of 603,328 candidates are participating in the examination, representing a 5.99 percent rise from the 569,236 candidates who sat for the exam in 2024. This increase in candidature further underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process, as a larger number of students’ futures depend on the fairness and validity of the results. The growing number of candidates also presents logistical challenges for WAEC in terms of managing examination centers, ensuring adequate security, and effectively monitoring the conduct of both candidates and examination officials.
The examination, which commenced on Wednesday, June 11th, is scheduled to conclude on June 17th. This period represents a crucial time for hundreds of thousands of students across West Africa as they strive to complete a significant milestone in their educational journey. The BECE serves as a gateway to further education and plays a pivotal role in shaping their career paths. The efforts by WAEC to curb malpractice are therefore essential in ensuring that the examination results accurately reflect the abilities of the candidates and provide a fair basis for selection into secondary schools.
The reported cases of malpractice and subsequent arrests serve as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced by examination bodies in maintaining the integrity of assessments. The increasing use of technology, while offering new avenues for learning and communication, also presents new opportunities for cheating. WAEC’s proactive approach in identifying and apprehending those involved in malpractice demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a fair and credible examination process. The arrests also send a clear message to potential perpetrators that such actions will not be tolerated and that those found guilty will face the consequences.
The efforts of WAEC to combat examination malpractice are crucial not only for the fairness of the BECE but also for the overall credibility of the education system in the region. The integrity of examinations is fundamental to ensuring that students are assessed based on their true abilities and that the certificates they earn hold genuine value. Malpractice undermines the very foundation of education and erodes public trust in the system. Therefore, WAEC’s commitment to upholding high standards of examination conduct is commendable and essential for the future of education in West Africa.
The comprehensive approach taken by WAEC, which includes working with law enforcement agencies, highlights the collaborative nature of the fight against examination malpractices. Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort involving various stakeholders, including educational institutions, parents, students, and the community at large. The collective responsibility to uphold academic integrity is crucial in creating a fair and transparent educational environment where merit and hard work are recognized and rewarded. Ultimately, eliminating examination malpractice requires not only robust security measures but also a fundamental shift in values and attitudes towards academic honesty.
The gender distribution of the candidates reveals that slightly more females than males are taking the examination, with 306,078 females compared to 297,250 males. This data provides insights into the demographic composition of the candidate pool and reflects the ongoing progress in promoting female participation in education. The representation of both public and private schools further indicates the widespread reach of the BECE and its significance as a national examination. This diversity highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities and fair assessment for all candidates, regardless of their background or gender.
The ongoing BECE represents a critical juncture for the hundreds of thousands of young people participating. Their performance in this examination will significantly influence their educational and career trajectories. Therefore, it is imperative that the examination process remains free from any form of malpractice, ensuring that the results accurately reflect the knowledge and skills of the candidates. The actions taken by WAEC to apprehend individuals involved in malpractice demonstrate their commitment to upholding the integrity of the examination and providing a level playing field for all candidates. This commitment is vital not only for the present cohort of students but also for the future of education in the West African region, as it reinforces the importance of meritocracy and academic honesty.
