West African Examination Council (WAEC)

History of WAEC

In African history, several efforts have been made to promote educational progress in the continent. One of the results of these efforts is the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). The council was created and enforced with the power to decide which examinations are important for the public interest in West African countries, especially the English-speaking ones. The body was also charged with the power to administers these exams as well as the responsibility to give out certificates that comparable with similar examining bodies in foreign countries. The council, which was founded in 1952, administers exit exams in five West African nations that speak English: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Niger, and the Gambia.

The Establishment of the Council

In December 1951, the West African Examination Council was approved by the legislative assemblies of Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and the Gambia by the passage of an ordinance (West African Examinations Council Ordinance NO. 40). The Ordinance approved the West African Examination Council’s coordination of exams and issuance of diplomas to students in several nations. Later, in 1974, during the annual conference in Lagos, Nigeria, Liberia issued its ordinance. An examination council was successfully established, and in March 1953 it held its inaugural meeting in Accra, Ghana. The registrar gave everyone a briefing on the council’s progress throughout the meeting. Five committees were established to support the council during that same meeting. These committees are the Professional, Technical, and Commercial Examinations Committee, the School Examinations Committee, the Public Service Examinations Committee, the Administrative and Finance Committee, and the Local Committee. There were twenty-six people in attendance at this meeting.

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Objectives 

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) was also armed with the power of determining which exams are necessary in English-speaking West African nations, administering the exams, and issues certificates that are on par with those issued by comparable examining bodies abroad. The council, which was founded in 1952, administers exit exams in five West African nations that speak English: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Niger, and the Gambia. The governments of these nations met with the groups, and they decided to completely implement Jeffrey’s suggestions by creating a West African Examination Council.

Challenges

Concerns have been raised regarding WAEC’s overall effectiveness. One significant instance was the Owosho controversy, which involved examination leaks in the 1970s. Exam answer slips were leaked to students by an official before the test was administered, which led to the controversy. As a result, some exam centres cancelled results, and some students were ordered to retake the exam the following year with their juniors. EXPO 77 was the result of a far more comprehensive investigation into malfeasance and leakage at testing facilities in 1977. Exams were cancelled centres in 1982 due to claims of being sold, thus impacting the involved students.

The entire organisation has failed to maintain a demanding and difficult curriculum. WAEC continues to provide students with the opportunity to study shorthand in 2019. Research has shown that this is why young people in West African nations do so poorly. Especially, when compared to their peers in Western and Sub-Continental nations is the absence of an effective examining body. The absence of an effective body is demonstrated by the fact that the syllabus is still the same as it was during the organisation’s establishment.

The maths paper that was supposed to be released on August 17th was leaked on social media on August 16, 2020. This was very critical as it was one day to the exam.  The council, however, quickly refuted the leaks, calling them fraudulent and scams. Mr. Patrick Areghan, WAEC Head of National Office, responded with reports on social media by calling them “false and misleading”. This was stated in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Achievements

Today, one can say that the goals of the West African Examination Council was attained to some extents. Despite the challenges and criticisms faced by the council, it has maintained internationally accepted procedures for academic examination. In addition, it continues to provide qualitative and reliable academic assessment in West African countries. Also by promoting economic development through proper human resource management and international alliances.

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Quick Facts 

• WACE was founded in 1952. 
• The council only exists in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Niger, and the Gambia. 
• Cancellation of exam centers happened in 1982 due to corrupt practices.