The Deputy Ranking Member of Education Committee and Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has called for a bipartisan probe into the reported irregularities that characterized the 2020 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).
In a write-up commenting on the widespread malpractices that independent think tank, Africa Education Watch, unearthed in a post mortem on the examinations, the Builsa South MP said a collaborative probe by the two sides of Parliament will help in curbing the repetition of the widespread irregularities.
Dr. Apaak wrote “A bipartisan investigation of irregularities, leakages of examination papers and related malpractices, which have characterised WAEC administered WASSCE from 2010-2020 is necessary. Such an investigation should make consequential recommendations to end examination question leakages in Ghana. I will initiate moves in this regard”
He posited that the integrity of the examinations written by Ghanaian students must be of concern to everyone as well as their certificates, adding that while the authorities and parents remain unconcerned about the development, it must be noted that “the world will be watching.”
His comments come after an assessment by the respected Education think tank uncovered that among other things, there was widespread leakages of examination papers.
Education Watch’s report also said for the first time ever in the history of the WASSCE, the contact details of examiners were leaked to students and parents.
Prior to the release of the assessment report by Africa Education Watch, Prof. Opoku Agyemang had some back and forth with the education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, where the election 2020 running mate to John Dramani Mahama expressed worry that instead of government officials celebrating the outcome of the WASSCE, they should rather deal with irregularities reported during the examination.
But in response, Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, had accused Prof. Opoku Agyemang of bastardizing the efforts of the children without any proof of the irregularities she complained about.
However, following the expose by the Africa Education Watch’s report, the Education Minister has promised to look into the irregularities as reported by the education think tank.
For the Builsa South MP, more needs to be done than just promise from the Education Minister since the WASSCE 2021 is not far away.
“Urgent action is required because WASSCE 2021 is just around the corner, slated to commence sometime in September. Will WASSCE 2021 see worse irregularities and malpractices or improved integrity? This will logically depend on whether or not the Minister, Ministry of Education and WAEC will admit the findings of the Assessment Report and give effect to the recommendations made by African Education Watch” he wrote.
Full statement bellow
Africa Education Watch Independent Assessment Report On WASSCE 2020 and Matters Arising
The Minister for Education ought to let Ghanaians know what immediate steps he is taking to address the worrisome findings of the Africa Education Watch Independent Assessment Report on the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) 2020, administered by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Urgent action is required because WASSCE 2021 is just around the corner, slated to commence sometime in September. Will WASSCE 2021 see worse irregularities and malpractices or an improved integrity? This will logically depend on whether or not the Minister, Ministry of Education and WAEC will admit the findings of the Assessment Report and give effect to the recommendations made by African Education Watch.
The Assessment by the respected Education think tank uncovered massive and widespread irregularities and leakages of examination papers. As captured in the Report, two categories of irregularities occurred during the WAEC administered 2020 WASSCE: a) leakage in examiners’ contact details, which was unprecedented, and b) widespread leakage in some examination questions.
Yet, there is no information of any prosecutions, after assurances of investigations by WAEC and some initial arrests ten months ago. Ghanaians will like to see expedited action on criminal investigations and prosecutions into reported irregularities at 2020 WASSCE, especially the leakage of examiners’ contacts from WAEC’s headquarters, and the leakage of questions as admitted by WAEC.
Wrong doing must be punished. Those profiting in the examination value chain, especially those who leaked the examiners details at WAEC’s headquarters must be sanctioned. I agree with Africa Education Watch that if no punitive action is taken against those whose deliberate actions compromised WASSCE 2020 now, the issue of having a leak-proof examination system will prove elusive to Ghana. By default, WASSCE 2021 is bound to witness even more irregularities, malpractices and leakages if no one is punished for same with WASSCE 2020 .
A bipartisan investigation of irregularities, leakages of examination papers and related malpractices, which have characterised WAEC administered WASSCE from 2010-2020 is necessary. Such an investigation should make consequential recommendations to end examination question leakages in Ghana. I will initiate moves in this regard.
The integrity of the examinations our wards write must be of concern to us. The integrity of the certificates our wards receive must occupy our attention. The world is watching.
Dr. Clement Apaak
M.P, Builsa South and Deputy Ranking Member, Committee on Education
