NEWS: Exam Malpractice: 29 Born-Again Christians Return Their WAEC Certificates

In a surprise turn of events, not less than 29 born again Christians have returned their certificates to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for engaging in examination malpractice when they sat for the exams.

The examination body in a statement released after its 62nd National Examination Committee meeting recently, said that among the 29 certificates that were returned by the born again Christians, includes one that was issued 33 years ago (1984) and another one that was issued 32 years ago (1985). A breakdown showed that four certificates each were returned by born again Christians who on their own confessed that they cheated while sitting for their exams between 2011 and 2013. Others include three that sat for the examinations in 2000, 2004, 2008, two each in 1992 and 2003 while one certificate each was returned by born again Christians who sat for the examination in 1984, 1985, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2012.

The council also announced the cancellation of 151 certificates already issued to candidates that sat for both school and private examinations who were later found to have engaged in examination malpractices.

Among the canceled certificates, include two issued 28 years ago (1989) and 27 years ago (1990) by WAEC while the ones issued in 2012 and 2013 are the current certificates. A breakdown of the canceled certificates showed that the highest number 14, was issued in 2001 and 2002, 13 each in 1999 and 2000.

The statistics further revealed that WAEC canceled 12 certificates in 2003, ten in 2006, eight in 1988, seven each in 2004, 2007 and 2010, five each in 1993, 1995, 2009, 2012 and 2013. Others are four in 1994 and 2008, three each in 1996 and 2011, two each in 1997 and 2005 as well as one each in 1989, 1990 and 1992.

Of the 151 certificates canceled, four were for candidates who sat for May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and 147 for Nov/ Dec WASSCE confirming reports by NEC that examination cheat is rampant during the private candidate examination (GCE).