The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is facing a debt of approximately GH₵155 million owing by the government, putting the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results at risk.
With the highly anticipated release of the 2024 WASSCE results set for December 9, 2024, WAEC is currently facing a significant problem that may delay or interrupt the release of these vital results.
According to WAEC’s Head of Public Relations, John Kapi, the situation has become serious, with the examination body battling to preserve the resources required to carry out its tasks.
“We are in a very difficult position right now,” Mr. Kapi added, citing the government’s unpaid arrears from past years’ tests. “Not only are we dealing with significant financial constraints, but there are also operational challenges, particularly with our scanning machines for objective tests and other machines, which are malfunctioning due to lack of proper maintenance.”
The government’s debt is significant. According to WAEC, the cumulative arrears for BECE, WASSCE, and other exams amount to GH₵155.86 million by 2024.
The government owes GH₵4.94 million for BECE in 2024, but WASSCE arrears are significantly higher.
The amount owed includes GH₵30.49 million for 2023 and an extra GH₵9.97 million for 2022.
Despite the high amounts outstanding, WAEC has received some payments.
The government has paid GH₵90.90 million for BECE 2024, leaving a balance of GH₵4.94 million.
WASSCE has received a partial payment of GH₵75.98 million, but still owes GH₵155.86 million.
The financial crisis facing WAEC has far-reaching consequences. The exam body’s capacity to assure the smooth processing of WASSCE results is significantly jeopardized.
The faulty scanning machines, which are required for scoring objective assessments, are a major source of concern.
“If we are unable to fix or replace the machines, it could delay the processing of results,” Mr. Kapi said.
He further stated that this could impact the prompt distribution of the 2024 WASSCE results, which are keenly anticipated by thousands of students, parents, and schools across the country.
The existing debt, together with the operational issues, casts doubt on the efficiency of WAEC’s operations in Ghana.
As the December 9 deadline for WASSCE results approaches, students and educational stakeholders are waiting for developments, unclear whether the government’s debt will be paid in time to enable a smooth and timely distribution of the results.
As a result, the exam board expects the government to provide some money in order to rescue the situation and maintain the WAEC timeline and timetables.
According to the body, the longer the delay, the more impact it will have on exam organization and its activities.