The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has taken steps to address irregularities detected during the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Affected students, whose results have been withheld, have been summoned to WAEC’s regional offices alongside their parents or guardians to assist in ongoing investigations.
This initiative aims to ensure fairness and transparency in resolving cases of suspected malpractice.
WAEC has clarified that even if students fail to respond to the summons, the Council will proceed to make a conclusive decision regarding their results.
WAEC’s investigation process involves multiple stages.
Following an internal review, the Council has resolved some cases and is prepared to release the results of students not implicated in any irregularities.
However, students whose cases remain unresolved are required to engage in one-on-one discussions with WAEC officials to provide additional clarity on their involvement.
This procedure is designed to establish whether these students were knowingly or unknowingly involved in breaches of examination regulations.
The 2024 BECE saw the participation of 569,236 candidates from 19,505 schools nationwide. This cohort comprised 282,703 males and 286,533 females, with additional accommodations made for candidates with special needs.
These included 59 visually impaired students, 263 with hearing impairments, and 161 candidates requiring other forms of support.
The examination was conducted across 2,123 centers. Despite the large turnout, 3,845 candidates were recorded as absent.
For private candidates, 1,390 individuals registered for the examination, held at 15 centers in various regional capitals. Of these, 750 were male and 640 female, with 57 candidates failing to appear.
The irregularities in question stem from various sources, including errors by examination supervisors who reportedly provided incorrect instructions regarding answer booklets.
WAEC is committed to resolving these issues while maintaining the integrity of its examination processes.
The Council’s efforts aim to preserve the credibility of its certifications, ensuring that all candidates are treated equitably, and upholding the standards expected of a regional examination body.
WAEC continues to urge candidates and their guardians to cooperate fully with the investigation to expedite the resolution process.
With a significant number of students depending on their BECE results for further educational opportunities, WAEC is keen to resolve outstanding cases promptly.
The Council reassures the public of its commitment to transparency and fairness in handling examination-related matters.
As WAEC completes its investigations, affected candidates can expect further communication regarding their status.
