Examination malpractice is a serious offence - Examination Coordinator

Mr James Opoku, Sunyani Municipal Examination Coordinator of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has warned students preparing for this year’s West African Senior School Examination (WASSCE) against all forms examination malpractices.

He said culprits would be banned from taking any West African Examination Council’s (WAEC) examination for three years while certificates of school heads and teachers who also aid students in examination malpractices would be seized.

Mr Opoku gave the warning when addressing more than 1,100 Senior High and Junior High School final year student who are yet to sit for their West African Senior School Examination (WASSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) at a “2013 youth success summit” in Sunyani.

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Youth Ministry of Deeper Life Bible Church organized the summit which was aimed at preparing the candidates adequately for their academic and spiritual success in life.

The event was on the theme, “golden nuggets for good success” and topics treated included reason for living as a youth; performance and expectations in the forthcoming examination; overcoming failure mentality during and after school; and strategies for tackling examinations.

Mr Opoku explained that examination malpractices was a serious offence punishable by law, regretting that teachers and some school heads instead of preparing students adequately aided them in several forms of malpractices.

He said aside the seizure of their certificates teachers who would be caught aiding students would be prosecuted with fines ranging from GH¢600 to GH¢1,200 penalties, two years imprisonment or both imposed on them.

Mr Opoku urged the students not to panic when answering questions as what they had learnt was what they were going to write.

Pastor Robert Lugushie, Brong-Ahafo Regional Youth Coordinator of Deeper Life Bible Church, explained that the summit was an annual programme which the ministry organized for final year students to prepare them adequately for their examination.

He said aside academic performance, there was the need to ensure proper upbringing and spiritual development of the youth to enable them grow to become responsible adults.

Pastor Lugushie expressed concern about the upsurge of immorality among the youth and appealed to the clergy and other church leaders to help instill a high sense of discipline and moral values among their members.

He noted with regret that after they completed Junior High and Senior High School, many of the youth experienced unnecessary pressures from peers who sometimes drove them into unhealthy lifestyles which could ruin their future.

Pastor Yaw Osei Owusu, Brong-Ahafo Regional Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, entreated the students to read their books and ensure that they study the Bible as well.

This, he said, was the only way they could pass their examination with distinction and have a secured future.