The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has disclosed that delays in the release of funds from the Ministry of Education is affecting the timely completion of post-examination processes for the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In a press release issued on December 9, 2024 WAEC revealed that although the marking of essay and practical components was completed on November 29, 2024 the scanning of objective test cards has been stalled due to the breakdown of scanners.
This delay has been attributed to the lack of funds needed for repairs and other operational activities.“The Council is awaiting the release of additional funds out of the outstanding balance of GH¢118, 000,000.00 from the Ministry of Education to enable the scanning process and other post-examination processes to continue smoothly,” the statement read.
WAEC stressed that the delay has had a ripple effect on the release of results, urging students, parents and other stakeholders to disregard unofficial dates circulating on social media, and that the results will only be released once all post-examination challenges are resolved.
The Chronicle believes this situation is not just an administrative inconvenience but also reflects a serious challenge in the education sector. Timely examination processes are critical to the academic journey of students and the planning of educational institutions.
The delay in releasing WASSCE results risks derailing the plans of thousands of students who rely on these results to progress to tertiary institutions or the job market. It also puts undue stress on parents and stakeholders, who are left at the mercy of unverified information circulating on social media.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time WAEC has faced financial challenges due to delays in government funding. Such recurrent issues raise questions about the government’s commitment to the smooth operation of this crucial examination body.
WAEC’s mandate goes beyond conducting exams; it safeguards the credibility of certifications that hold international recognition. Any disruption to its processes tarnishes its reputation and, by extension, the value of Ghana’s educational credentials.
The breakdown of scanners and the inability to fund repairs highlight another critical issue, which is the lack of contingency planning and resource allocation. Equipment breakdowns are inevitable, yet WAEC appears to lack the financial autonomy to address such operational hiccups. This calls for the need for the government to not only disburse funds promptly but also explore ways to make WAEC more financially self-sufficient.
The ramifications of these delays extend beyond administrative inconvenience. For students, a delay in result release can mean missing application deadlines for tertiary institutions, both locally and internationally. It can also lead to psychological distress as they grapple with uncertainty about their academic future. These delays also send a troubling signal about the value placed on education, potentially demoralising students and educators alike.
At a broader level, such lapses in the education sector have long-term consequences for national development. Education is a cornerstone of socio-economic progress, and disruptions at any stage weaken the foundations upon which the future workforce is built.
To avoid similar situations in the future, we call on the Ministry of Education to prioritise timely funding for WAEC. It is essential for the Ministry of Education to recognise the critical role of timely funding in safeguarding the integrity of the examination system. Beyond immediate financial interventions, long-term strategies must be implemented to prevent similar crises in the future.
The stakes are too high to allow bureaucratic inertia to compromise the education of the youth. Education is not just an expense; it is an investment in the nation’s future, and it must be treated as such.
