NUGS calls for probe into cancelation of BECE papers

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on receiving news of the cancellation of some papers in the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) was shocked by the development.

They have thus registered their concern on the matter in a strong call for investigations to apprehend and punish all the culprits involved.

It would be recalled that, in a press statement dated, June 17, 2015 issued by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the body made it clear that it had "discovered to its greatest dismay and disappointment that some of the papers of the ongoing BECE have been compromised" and accordingly have decided to cancel them. The papers, according to WAEC include English Language 2, Religious and Moral Education 2, Integrated Science 2, Mathematics 2 and Social Studies 2.

"The compromised papers will be re-administered on June 29 and 30, 2015", the statement added and also hinted of an investigation to gather facts of the malpractice and punish offenders in its quest to demonstrate its strong abhorrence for examination malpractice and protect the sanctity of its certificates.

The Union vehemently condemns in no uncertain terms this infamous practice which is certainly a drawback on the various strides the nation's education sector has chalked over the years, in terms of the quality of its products.

The sub-regional examination body, WAEC is simply failing the nation and ought to be challenged to rise up to its core mandate. It is no more newsworthy to hear of leakages of examination papers supervised by the body nowadays.

NUGS believes that this recent scandal should be a wake-up call for a complete overhauling of WAEC as the first step of ensuring a permanent solution to this deleterious canker.

The institutional indiscipline and impunity ought to stop now so that authorities can take ultimate responsibility for their actions and inaction. Enough is enough! If we must act, then it has to be now or never.

For how long will innocent candidates continue to unduly suffer due to the negligence of officialdom? It is simply a travesty of justice.

WAEC mention internal investigations anytime such issues happen; yet we are never made to know the outcomes of such investigations. How can WAEC investigate its own? No wonder it doesn't end up anywhere.

It is in this light that NUGS welcomes the decision by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) to takeover this investigation to unravel this leakage mystery.

The Union wishes to challenge the BNI to do a perfect job in the interest of justice and accordingly implore all and sundry to cooperate with the BNI investigation so that this matter can be dealt with once and for all.