The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has dismissed Ghana’s Minister of Education’s claim that the 2024 WASSCE results will be released on December 29, 2024, describing it as “scandalous”. According to WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Kapi John, the council is facing significant financial and logistical constraints that make it impossible to meet the stated timeline.
The main issue lies in the government’s outstanding debt to WAEC, which currently stands at GHS118 million. So far, the government has only paid GHS25 million, leaving a substantial shortfall. This has hindered WAEC’s ability to expedite the results release process. Mr. Kapi explained that the received funds were used to settle arrears owed to technicians who were reluctant to repair the malfunctioning objective test marking machines.
WAEC has requested an additional GHS35 million to facilitate the process, but the government has yet to respond. The council has invited technicians to assess the broken machines and provide repair estimates, which will then be reported to the government. However, until these issues are resolved, WAEC cannot release the results as claimed by the Minister.
The Minister’s announcement has caused confusion among students, parents, and educational institutions. Many institutions are planning to admit 2024 WASSCE graduates, but the delayed results release will undoubtedly affect these plans. Private schools, in particular, are urging WAEC to release their students’ results, as they directly paid the full cost of the examination to WAEC and should not be affected by government-related challenges.
WAEC has assured the public that it will announce a new timeline for the release of the results once the financial and logistical constraints are addressed. The earliest possible release date is expected to be in January 2025. This delay has raised concerns among stakeholders, highlighting the importance of timely resolution of WAEC’s financial and logistical challenges to avoid further disruptions.
The situation has sparked debate about the government’s commitment to education and its ability to provide the necessary resources to support the sector. The Minister’s claim has been widely criticized, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the 2024 WASSCE results will not be released on December 29, 2024, as claimed by the Minister.
In the meantime, students, parents, and educational institutions must wait patiently for WAEC to resolve its financial and logistical constraints. The council has appealed for the release of funds to facilitate the 2024 WASSCE results, and it is hoped that the government will respond promptly to avoid further delays.
The delay in releasing the 2024 WASSCE results has significant implications for the education sector. Institutions will need to adjust their admission timelines, and students will have to wait longer to receive their results. The situation is a reminder of the importance of effective communication and coordination between the government, WAEC, and educational institutions.
As the education sector navigates this challenging situation, it is essential to prioritize transparency, accountability, and effective communication. The government, WAEC, and educational institutions must work together to ensure that the 2024 WASSCE results are released in a timely and efficient manner. Only then can students, parents, and institutions plan for the future with confidence.
Source: Africa Publicity
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