GES Director bemoans spate of cheating in exams

Rev. Simon Asige, Director of Secondary Education at the Ghana Education Service (GES) has decried the spate of examination malpractices among students.

He therefore warned candidates of the pending West African Secondary School Examination (WASSCE) not to attempt to smuggle cellular phones and other foreign materials into examination halls as “you will have yourself to blame when caught”.

Addressing the 20th Anniversary of the Anlo-Afiadenyigba Senior High School (AFIASEC) at the weekend at Anlo-Afiadenyigba in the Keta Municipality, he said these practices must be stopped to protect the reputation of the examination bodies and certificates.

He hinted that metal detectors would be available across the country to uncover those trying to smuggle prohibited materials into the examination halls.

Rev Asige said around 3000 candidates in the 2012 examination had their results cancelled due to such malpractices.

He advised students to avoid negative practices and remain committed to their books.

Rev Asige commended staff, students and other stakeholders for the successes chalked by the school so far.

The theme of the anniversary was “Quality Education, a Necessary Tool for Development”.

Mr Emmanuel Keteku, Volta Regional Director of the GES asked staff and students to keep the zeal in their efforts to attain the quality education goals of the country.

Mr Godson Sabblah, Headmaster said the school started in 1993 with 41 students and 13 staff.

He said the school could now boast of 1,200 students and 75 staff.

He said the school over the years had chalked out excellent achievements in the academic field and referred to the 100 per cent pass of students in the 2011 and 2012 WASSCE.

Mr Sabblah noted that AFIASEC is therefore becoming a first choice school in the area.

He said in the area of extra-curricular activities, the school had been the best in volleyball for the past decade. It also has a Police Cadet Corp and a brass band.

The Headmaster said lack of staff bungalows and boarding houses is making supervision of students difficult.

Mr Sabblah appealed to the authorities to facilitate the early completion of the Ghana Education Trust Fund sponsored dormitory, administration, library block, and a science laboratory.

He asked for the provision of 50 more computers in addition to the current 20 stock for the school.

Deserving stakeholders including students, tutors past and present received various awards.