WASSCE 2024 leaves WAEC in uncertainty as the government's GH₵156 million deficit causes a dilemma.

The results of the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are in jeopardy because the government owes the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) a debilitating debt of more than GH₵155 million.

WAEC is now dealing with a significant problem that could postpone or interfere with the announcement of the highly anticipated 2024 WASSCE results, which are set for December 9, 2024. John Kapi, WAEC's Head of Public Relations, claims that the situation has gotten worse and that the examination organization is finding it difficult to keep up the resources it needs to do its job.

Citing the unpaid arrears owed by the government for exams from prior years, Mr. Kapi stated, "We are in a very difficult position right now." "We are facing operational difficulties in addition to severe financial limitations, especially with regard to our objective test scanning machines and other equipment that are breaking down as a result of improper maintenance." The government has a large amount of debt. A startling GH₵155.86 million is the total amount of arrears for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), WASSCE, and other tests as of 2024, according to WAEC.

The government owes GH₵4.94 million for the 2024 session in the BECE case, but the WASSCE arrears are far larger. Of this sum, GH₵30.49 million is due in 2023, and GH₵9.97 million is due in 2022. Some payments have been made to WAEC in spite of the substantial sums due. GH₵90.90 million has already been paid by the government for BECE 2024, leaving GH₵4.94 million outstanding.

For WASSCE, a partial payment of GH₵75.98 million has been made, but a staggering GH₵155.86 million remains unpaid.

Wide-ranging effects are being caused by WAEC's financial difficulties. The exam body is seriously jeopardizing its capacity to guarantee the seamless processing of the WASSCE results. One major source of concern is the broken scanning devices, which are necessary for evaluating objective assessments. "The processing of results may be delayed if we are unable to repair or replace the machines," Mr. Kapi said.

The prompt announcement of the 2024 WASSCE results, which are eagerly anticipated by thousands of students, parents, and schools nationwide, may be impacted by this, he continued. The operational difficulties and accumulated debt present a bleak image of WAEC's operational effectiveness in Ghana. Students and educational stakeholders are eagerly awaiting developments as the December 9 deadline for the WASSCE results draws near, uncertain if the government's debt will be paid off in time to guarantee a seamless and prompt distribution of the results.

The exam body is therefore expecting that some payment will be made by the government to salvage the situation and keep the timetable and schedules of WAEC intact.

To the body, the further the delay, the more consequences it will have on exam organization and its activities.

https://www.adomonline.com/2024-wassce-results-in-limbo-as-govts-gh%e2%82%b5156m-debt-puts-waec-in-crisis/