The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has addressed concerns regarding the withholding of 2024 WASSCE results for alleged examination malpractice, urging affected candidates and their parents to cooperate with the ongoing investigation process. WAEC emphasizes that the invitation to meet with officials and the subsequent request for written statements are not intended to coerce or intimidate students but rather to provide a fair hearing and allow them to respond to the allegations. This clarification follows reports of parent and student protests at the WAEC office in Kumasi, demanding the release of withheld results that are hindering university admissions, particularly for students from T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School.
WAEC has outlined its investigation procedure, stating that it has completed the scrutiny of the implicated scripts and is now inviting candidates, accompanied by their parents or guardians, for a meeting. This meeting serves as a platform for candidates to address the malpractice allegations and provide their perspective on the matter. The requirement to write statements, in the presence of their guardians, is presented as the final stage of the investigation, after which WAEC will make its final determination regarding the validity of the allegations and the appropriate course of action.
The controversy surrounding the withheld results arose after a group of concerned parents and students gathered at the WAEC office in Kumasi, expressing their frustration over the delay in releasing the results. These students, many of whom are from T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, are facing significant challenges in pursuing their tertiary education due to the uncertainty surrounding their WASSCE results. The parents allege that WAEC had summoned them to the regional office to ascertain whether their children had engaged in examination malpractice but provided no further information upon their arrival, leaving them anxious and demanding answers.
The withholding of results has had a considerable impact on the affected students, particularly those from T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, where over 2,000 students are reportedly affected. The inability to access their results has created a significant obstacle to their university application process, leaving them in limbo and uncertain about their academic future. The parents’ frustration stems from the lack of clarity and communication from WAEC, coupled with the significant consequences their children are facing due to the delayed results.
In a development adding further complexity to the situation, a High Court has ordered the release of the withheld results, enabling the affected students to proceed with their university admissions. This court order seemingly contradicts WAEC’s ongoing investigation and raises questions about the authority of the council to withhold results in light of the court’s intervention. The legal implications of this order and its potential impact on WAEC’s investigation process remain to be seen.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between ensuring the integrity of the examination process and protecting the rights of individual students. While WAEC maintains its commitment to upholding the standards of the WASSCE and addressing instances of malpractice, the affected students and their parents are understandably concerned about the impact of the withheld results on their educational prospects. The court order adds another layer of complexity, prompting questions about the interplay between WAEC’s authority, the legal system, and the rights of students caught in the crossfire. The resolution of this issue will require careful consideration of all stakeholders’ interests and a transparent process that ensures fairness and accountability.
