By Doreen Ampofo
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has cautioned students to report to examination centres 30 minutes before time or risk not writing the papers.
This follows a tour by the Head of WAEC, Dr. Rosemond Wilson, to two schools in the Greater Accra region where several students were prevented from taking the Social Studies paper in the ongoing WASSCE because they reported to the centre more than 30 minutes after the examinations had started.
The students took the first core paper, which is social studies, on Monday, August 26, 2024. The WAEC teams visited Osu Presec and Labone Senior High School in Accra. At Osu Presec, two sets of students were writing the social studies paper. Those from Osu Presec and Osu Salem Senior High School. The examinations were running smoothly; however, some students, numbering about 17, were roaming the compound.
Inquiries revealed that they reported to the exam centre more than 30 minutes late after the exams had started. According to WAEC’s rules for the examination, candidates who report to the exam centres 30 minutes after the papers have started should not be allowed to write the exam. Supervisor for the examination at Osu PRESEC and Headmaster of the School Vincent Esoah said 649 students sat for the social studies exams from Osu PRESEC and 299 from Osu Salem Senior High School. On the candidates who were prevented from taking the exam, he explained that:
“We started the paper 30 minutes ago, and they are now coming. They have no reason for coming late. I know them. These are the perpetual latecomers, and it has become their attitude. I will not allow anyone to breach WAEC’s rules for the examinations, especially if you don’t have any good reason. It hasn’t rained, and if you are a serious student, you know you have WAEC examination, which starts at 8:30; by 8am you should be in school.”
At Labone Senior High School, 1444 students registered for the examination. However, about ten of them were prevented from taking the Social Studies paper. The headmistress, Rejoice Ahua Akonor, who explained that the exam has been smooth so far, added that she cannot break the rule for the students who were late.
“This is not their first time, and they have come over an hour after the exams started. I cannot in any way allow them in. I’m not happy about it, but this is the situation I find myself.”
Some of the students who explained why they were late said,
“I fell sick yesterday evening, and my parents intended to take me to the hospital today. But because of traffic and some unforeseen circumstances, I decided to come and write the paper first. Unfortunately, I came in late. I have explained my situation to the headmistress, but she has refused to listen.”
Another student indicated,
“I came late actually. I am from Dodowa which is far. There is a lot of traffic on the route. I know I have exams, so I won’t deliberately come late. There is traffic on the route, and there is nothing I can do about it. I am not happy, but I’m trying to beg so I’m allowed in.”
The Head of WAEC, Dr Rosemond Wilson, while addressing the media after the tour expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exam. She said the rules of the examination will be applied to the letter.
“The supervisors are to adhere to the WAEC rules and regulations for a smooth conduct of the exams. Most of the students intentionally come in late, waiting for “apor” and other things. That is why we revised the rules for candidates to come in 30 minutes before the exam starts.”
The students at Osu Presec who were earlier prevented from writing the exams were later allowed to take the paper, subject to a report by the headmaster on why they were admitted.
