Deputy Minister blames WAEC for exam malpractices

Justice Samuel Adjei, the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, on Tuesday blamed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for examination malpractices that had gain root in the education sector.

He observed that examination papers leaked to students because of the negligence of WAEC, and called on the external examination body, to strengthen its internal structures so that questions papers would always be kept intact.

Inaugurating the Association of Retired Directors and Heads of Second Cycle Institutions in the Brong-Ahafo, at a ceremony at Abesim, near Sunyani, the Regional Minister said it was sad the region topped in examination malpractices, according to a report released by WAEC.

He noted that the situation could have been avoided if the WAEC was more responsive enough, and put in place measures to prevent examination questions from leaking.

Notwithstanding, Mr Adjei stressed that a collective approach was required from all stakeholders in education to solve the problem.

He condemned the attitude of some parents, who the regional minister observed, lured teachers with money and other incentives to aid their children in all forms of examination malpractices.

Mr Adjei pointed out that serious and active students would always prepare adequately when they were about to write examination, and entreated parents and guardians to control and supervise their children and wards to read their books.

He expressed regret about the high level of absenteeism and malingering among students and teachers, and urged head teachers and institutional authorities to intensify supervisory roles especially in Senior High Schools.

Mr Jarvis Reginald Agyemang-Badu, Chairman of the Association, called for a national consultative forum to find a lasting solution to examination malpractices.