The Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) is calling for the criminalization of examination malpractice, particularly cases involving teachers and invigilators, following disturbing reports of misconduct during the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Head of Programmes at GNECC, Festus Long Matey, stressed that every individual found culpable in this year’s BECE malpractice must be punished in accordance with the law.
He described such actions as a threat to the credibility and integrity of Ghana’s education system.
“Teachers and invigilators are supposed to protect the integrity of the exams, not compromise it. Unfortunately, some of them are playing with the future of our children, and the consequences must be enforced,” he stated.
His comments come after the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) revealed several cases of malpractice during the examination.
According to the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, John Kapi, photocopiers were discovered at some examination centers — a situation he described as “a recipe for disaster.” He confirmed that 25 individuals have so far been arrested in connection with the malpractices and warned that some exam papers could be cancelled as a result.
Reacting to this, Mr. Long Matey said, “This is an emergency issue that needs to be dealt with urgently. If we continue to tolerate such acts, our entire education system will continue to suffer.”
He further highlighted the long-term implications of allowing students to pass exams dishonestly.
“When students pass exams through malpractice, it becomes difficult to assess their true academic performance. It undermines the purpose of education and makes proper grading impossible,” he noted.
He also called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to urgently convene a stakeholder engagement to address the issue holistically.
“These children are the future of this country. If we allow the system to be corrupted, we are putting that future at risk. There must be collaborative action now,” he emphasized.
Despite the challenges, he commended WAEC for the overall conduct of the examination and their efforts to ensure credibility.
“We applaud WAEC for their vigilance and for conducting a solid examination. Their efforts must be supported, not undermined,” he concluded.
GNECC has consistently advocated for reforms that uphold the quality and credibility of Ghana’s education system. The coalition’s latest call adds to growing public concern over the rise in exam malpractice and its broader impact on national development.
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