Outrage as SHS 3 students blocked from WASSCE

Correspondence from Eastern Region

The integrity of the ongoing WASSCE at WBM Zion Senior High School in the Eastern Region has come under scrutiny following disturbing allegations from within the school.

According to a whistleblower, authorities are allegedly preventing some final-year students from writing their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) practicals — and are instead asking second-year students to sit in their place.

The informant described the situation as “academic fraud,” alleging that Form Three students were deliberately barred from participating in their scheduled practical exams despite paying various fees to the school.

“This is not only illegal but immoral,” the source said. “How can a headmistress collect money from final-year students and then deny them access to their own exams, only to replace them with juniors?”

The decision has left the affected students devastated, with their academic progression now hanging in the balance. Students from the Visual Arts Department — offering subjects such as General Knowledge in Art, Sculpture, Picture Making, and Graphic Design — were reportedly asked to pay between GH¢750 and GH¢900 to cover registration and practical costs.

One student, speaking to GhanaWeb, recounted: “We were asked to pay GH¢750 for the practicals. I paid GH¢200, which was supposed to cover the Sculpture paper. But when it was time to do the practicals, those of us who couldn’t pay the full amount were not allowed. Instead, SHS 2 students were brought in to write in our place. We just wrote down our index numbers.”

Some students claim they were blocked from participating entirely, while others allege that even after making partial payments, they were turned away on exam day.

Although many parents and students remain silent for fear of victimisation, frustration within the school community is growing. One concerned parent, speaking anonymously, said, “My child has been preparing for these exams for years. Now, he’s being denied the opportunity — while juniors take his place. This is a grave injustice.”

Parents are now calling on the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Minister of Education to launch an independent investigation into the matter. They are also demanding that all affected students be given the opportunity to re-sit their practicals with government support and at no additional cost.

Silence from school leadership

Efforts to obtain a response from the headmistress, Abena Owarewa Debrah, have so far proven unsuccessful, as multiple phone calls and text messages to her have gone unanswered.

Education stakeholders warn that if swift action is not taken, the incident could set a troubling precedent, eroding public trust in the education system and undermining student morale nationwide.