By Sodiq Adelakun
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has directed schools and candidates with withheld results from the May/June 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to check their statuses on the council’s portal.
Recall that the council continues to address numerous cases of alleged examination malpractice, affecting over 215,000 candidates.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that candidates and schools with withheld results from the 2023 May/June WASSCE should now verify their statuses through the council’s online portal.
This advisory follows ongoing investigations into reported cases of examination malpractice. WAEC’s directive aims to provide transparency and update affected parties on the resolution of their cases.
As of now, a total of 215,267 candidates, which constitutes approximately 11.92 percent of the total 1,805,216 candidates who sat for the exam, have had their results withheld. This action is a consequence of various allegations of malpractice, with investigations still underway to determine if and when these results will be released.
In an interview with the WAEC’s spokesperson, Mrs. Moyosola Adesina, clarified the current status of the investigations.
She stated, “The council is aware of the critical role these results play in the candidates’ admissions into tertiary institutions. We have been working diligently to address these issues thoroughly. Those who have lodged complaints through our dedicated portal and demonstrated their innocence have had their results released.”
Adesina emphasised that while some candidates have seen their results released following their complaints, others still face pending investigations.
She explained, “Cases with substantial evidence against the candidates are subject to more extensive investigations. Schools or candidates in this category will need to wait longer, along with those who have yet to file any complaints regarding their withheld results.”
The WAEC has assured all stakeholders that the matter will be reviewed comprehensively. The National Examination Committee, responsible for handling these cases, is expected to make a final determination by early October.
Adesina added, “We understand the urgency of these results for the candidates’ academic progression, but we must ensure a fair and thorough review process. We are committed to concluding these investigations within the designated time frame.”