A CALL TO DUTY: WAEC MUST ENSURE LEAKAGE FREE EXAMINATIONS THIS YEAR

As we prepare to take two major examinations this year, may this “call to duty article” awaken WAEC and remind them of the fact that, it is their responsibility to ensure leakage free examinations. With no hesitation, I agree that the candidates and the invigilators also have their roles to play in making sure that this happens.

Parents and candidates are having mix feelings at this stage. For the parents, they are hoping of getting some financial relief as their wards complete school. It is their prayer however that the money they have spent over the past four or three years will be rewarded by the good performance of their wards. On the part of the candidates, they are hoping to live the “bondage” of doing virtually everything under somebody's instructions. Meanwhile they are also battling the fear of not performing well.

No matter which side they find themselves, the Senior Schools Certificate Examination starts with Oral English on Wednesday, 6th April 2011 whilst the Basic Education Certificate Examination starts on Monday, 11th April 2011. It is the hope and expectation of all well meaning Ghanaians that the parties involve in ensuring the success of these examinations have put the necessary security measures in place to avoid the yearly ritual of paper leakage, which has characterise the conduct of national examinations in the recent past. Undoubtedly, this ritual has dented the image of the West Africa Examinations Council in Ghana.

To achieve this fate of leakage free examination, WAEC must put the past behind them and use this year's examinations to start an image redemption journey. They should take consolation from the words of David McNally that your past can't be changed, but you can change your tomorrow by your actions today. This image redemption journey is important not only because WAEC needs to redeem its drifting image, but also to protect the standards of our examinations internationally. As they embark on this journey, they must not allow any unscrupulous elements, being WAEC staff, invigilators or candidates to sabotage their efforts.

When leakages occur, all parties involve in the examination process go through some unpleasant experiences. The most affected parties are the candidates and WAEC as an institution. The question then is: why should WAEC allow some bad elements to put the majority through these unpleasant experiences? Is it because those who must take the toughest decisions stand to benefit from the leakages? What saddens my heart is the fact that, issues regarding paper leakages die at the end of the examination. This is an enough motivation for others to indulge in leaking examination papers. WAEC must pursue these cases to the latter and the culprits must be dealt with, with no mercy to deter potential offenders from toeing the same path.

Cancelling an examination paper puts candidates through an emotional trauma as they prepare to take a second paper in the same subject. They are enveloped with the fear of the unknown. They ask themselves several questions including: Am I adequately prepared for this second paper? What if this second paper is also cancelled? To add to their worries is the fear of how the paper will be marked. You'll understand better when you put yourself in the shoes of the victims of this unfortunate situation.

The effects of paper leakages transcend the borders of Ghana. Internationally, it has dented the standards of our examinations. To me, it is unacceptable for foreign colleges and universities to request for SAT and TOFEL tests in English as prove for English proficiency before admitting Ghanaian students. This is an indictment on the standards of our examinations, knowing very well that Ghanaian students are taught and examined in English Language. These colleges and universities are however forced to do so due to lack of trust in the standards of our examinations. This situation is largely attributable to the constant leakage of examination papers.

WAEC officials must know that the positions they occupy come with responsibilities and discharging these responsibilities effectively will open the doors of bigger opportunities for them. The worse thing that can happen to a person is to be satisfied with his/her level of attainment. WAEC officials must be committed to the work they do. They must remember that Bob Gass says you can only be fruitful in your season. They should let their season at WAEC be beneficial to Ghanaians and Ghana as a whole, they must be determined to improve on the standards of examinations and not to lower them by any means for their personal gains.

Candidates must also know that, their ability to continue climbing the academic ladder depends solely on their performance in final examinations at each level of education. Good grades in final examinations are earned and not bought. The money of their parents can only pay for their school and extra classes fees. Any attempt to buy the grades in their final examinations will lead them into troubles. It is not for nothing that their parents, friends and teachers keep telling/asking them: Are you learning? You must learn ooh! Learn ooh! And many more of these phrases. It is time for them to give account of their four or three years stay on their various campuses. This, they must do with diligence and sense purposefulness. As they get ready to take their destinies to another level, I wish them all nothing but success.

Teachers who will be invigilating must bear in mind that, the examination hall is not where to teach their students. Allow them to write what they know. Your role in the hall is to invigilate them and nothing more!

I'm sure WAEC is bet on ensuring that this year's examinations are successful and incident free. Those unscrupulous elements that leak papers must be warned that WAEC will not sit unconcerned for them to continue dragging the name of WAEC into the pit. It'll therefore be in their best interest to stay clear from this year's examinations as any attempts will land them into serious troubles.

EDWIN S. KWAME KOGE
[email protected]
(The writer is a National Service Person at the Modern Languages Department of Awudome SHS and the President of the Ho Municipal NASPA)