WAEC Accuses Schools, Exam Supervisors of Extorting Candidates

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has accused some schools and examination supervisors of illegally extorting candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), warning that the practice threatens the credibility of the examination process.

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In a statement released yesterday, the examination body said it had received multiple complaints from candidates who were allegedly forced to make unauthorized payments under different excuses. 

According to WAEC, such charges range from transportation costs for examination materials to welfare levies and so-called cooperation fees.

The council said the growing trend has become a serious concern, stressing that candidates should not be compelled to pay any fees outside officially approved charges. 

It maintained that such demands undermine fairness and public confidence in the examination system.

WAEC also alleged that some schools were collecting money from students for KAPEK calculators despite the fact that the devices had already been supplied free of charge by the council.

“These reports are disturbing because they place unnecessary financial pressure on candidates and compromise the integrity of the examination process,” WAEC said. 

“No school or supervisor is authorized to impose extra charges on students under any guise.”

Furthermore, the examination body warned that institutions and officials found engaging in such practices could face severe penalties. 

These include withdrawal of school recognition, blacklisting, prosecution and referrals to relevant authorities for further disciplinary action.

The council urged school administrators and examination personnel to comply strictly with its regulations, adding that efforts were underway to monitor and address reported cases across examination centres.

Meanwhile, WAEC acknowledged that this year’s WASSCE has experienced operational difficulties in some parts of the country. 

The council explained that security concerns and logistical setbacks affected the movement and delivery of sensitive examination materials.

Among the challenges was a fatal road accident involving personnel assigned to transport examination materials across states. 

WAEC disclosed that three staff members lost their lives in the incident.

The council also cited security-related disruptions, including protests connected to the abduction of schoolchildren in certain areas, which affected the timely conduct of some examination activities.

Despite the setbacks, WAEC said emergency arrangements were activated to ensure examinations proceeded in affected locations. 

It also extended condolences to the families of the deceased personnel, describing their deaths as a painful loss to the organisation.