The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the provisional results for the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), but the announcement is clouded by a serious cheating scandal.
A total of 41 school candidates have had their results completely canceled due to examination malpractice.
The BECE, held from June 3 to June 7, 2024, saw participation from 569,236 candidates, including 282,703 males and 286,533 females, across 2,123 centers nationwide.
It typically assesses students in key subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Science, Social Studies, and Religious and Moral Education, with passing all subjects being essential for senior high school eligibility.
The provisional results also revealed a troubling increase in absenteeism, with 3,845 candidates missing the exams, significantly up from the previous year.
WAEC’s efforts to combat cheating included measures such as installing CCTV cameras in examination halls and implementing biometric verification for candidates. Despite these initiatives, cheating remains a persistent issue, undermining the integrity of the BECE.
In a press release, WAEC outlined the actions taken against examination malpractice:
- 377 school candidates and 3 private candidates had specific subject results canceled for using unauthorized materials or collaborating with others during the exams.
- 41 school candidates and 1 private candidate faced total result cancellations due to serious violations of exam regulations.
- 33 school candidates and 3 private candidates had their entire results withheld pending further investigation.
- Results from 149 schools have also been withheld due to reported irregularities, with potential cancellations or releases depending on ongoing investigations.
WAEC has warned stakeholders to remain vigilant against fraudsters who may attempt to exploit the situation by offering to upgrade results for a fee. The council emphasizes that BECE results are secure and verifiable, rendering such offers fraudulent.
