Stakeholders Accept WAEC Grading System

Stakeholders in education have accepted the grading system of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). With its acceptance at a meeting organised at the instance of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, the discrepancy associated with the system has been removed.



According to the agreement, A in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) is equivalent to A1 in the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while B and C in the SSSCE are equivalent to B2 and B3 in the WASSCE.

A grade D in the SSSCE is equivalent to C4, C5 and C6 in the WASSCE, while grade E is equivalent to D7 and E8, with F being equivalent to F9.

Those at the meeting included Papa Owusu-Ankomah, the Minister for Education, Science and Sports, Prof Jophus Anamoah-Mensah, the Chairman, Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG), Mrs Patience Ayesu, the Head of the Ghana National Office of WAEC, a representative from the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports.

They have, therefore, directed applicants to the various universities to abide by the interpretation and equivalencies accepted.

'We have clarified the interpretation and every applicant should abide by what has been given. Applicants are, however, reminded that the universities will look at every result on its own merit', the acting Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Michael Nsowah, said after the meeting, which chaired by Papa Owusu-Ankomah.

A joint statement issued later said it was clear that the universities had instituted the necessary procedures to meet the concerns of all applicants.

'For the avoidance of any doubt, candidates with respective qualifications, such as SSSCE and WASSCE, will be treated on their own merit.

WASSCE candidates should have credits in both the core and elective subjects (A1-C6) to qualify for admission', it explained.

It said the universities would always provide the necessary guidance at all times to assist applicants in their programmes of study, adding that the respective academic affairs offices were prepared to assist applicants.