The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has expressed concern over the alleged illegal extortion of candidates participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), accusing some schools and examination supervisors of imposing unauthorized charges on students.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the examination body disclosed that it had received several complaints from candidates who were allegedly compelled to make payments under various pretexts, including transportation of examination materials, welfare levies, and so-called cooperation fees.
WAEC described the development as a serious threat to the credibility and integrity of the examination process, stressing that candidates should not be made to pay any fees beyond officially approved charges.
According to the council, the unauthorized collections place undue financial burden on candidates and their parents while undermining fairness and public confidence in the conduct of the examination.
The examination body further alleged that some schools were collecting money from students for KAPEK calculators despite the fact that the calculators had already been provided free of charge by WAEC.
“These reports are disturbing because they place unnecessary financial pressure on candidates and compromise the integrity of the examination process,” the council stated.
WAEC warned schools and examination officials involved in the practice to desist immediately, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with examination regulations.
The council also urged candidates, parents, and members of the public to report any cases of extortion or unauthorized charges to the appropriate authorities for prompt investigation and action.