The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has petitioned the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to address concerns over examination irregularities, emphasizing fairness and justice for affected students.
The move comes after WAEC announced resolutions from the 37th Meeting of the Ghana Examinations Committee held on December 16, 2024, detailing steps to address malpractice in examinations.
In a press statement issued on January 12, 2025, NUGS commended WAEC for its efforts in maintaining the integrity of examinations, which are pivotal to Ghana’s education system.
However, the Union raised critical issues regarding the treatment of students implicated in examination malpractices.
Key concerns raised to WAEC
On January 2, 2025, NUGS formally presented a letter to WAEC outlining specific grievances, including:
- Fair Hearing: NUGS questioned whether accused candidates were given adequate opportunities to defend themselves and cross-examine their accusers during investigations.
- Timely Investigations: The Union stressed the need for WAEC to promptly process withheld results to ensure innocent students do not miss the current admission cycle.
- Appeal Process: NUGS urged WAEC to provide sufficient time for candidates found guilty to appeal decisions, allowing them to potentially meet admission deadlines.
- Cancellation of Entire Results: The Union challenged WAEC’s policy of canceling an entire set of results for infractions related to specific papers, arguing that this policy infringes on fundamental human rights.
Actions taken by NUGS
NUGS outlined several steps it has taken to address the issue:
- Engagement with WAEC: A formal letter was submitted to WAEC, followed by a meeting with senior WAEC officials on January 10, 2025, to discuss the concerns and seek resolutions.
- Legal Review: The Union has referred WAEC’s policy on result cancellations to its legal team for advice, particularly regarding its alignment with constitutional protections and students’ rights.
- Petition Process: The NUGS President has directed the Legal and Students Rights Committee to collect petitions from affected students. This initiative aims to gather relevant details to support advocacy efforts.
Next steps
NUGS has committed to advocating for the following:
- The prompt completion of investigations into withheld results.
- Transparent and fair hearings for accused candidates.
- Adequate time for appeals in cases of adverse decisions.
The Union awaits a formal response from WAEC following their engagements and has assured students of continuous updates on developments.
In the statement, NUGS encouraged affected students to remain calm and confident in the Union’s dedication to protecting their rights and interests.