43 Teachers Busted Over BECE ‘Apor’

Forty-three teachers have been arrested across the country over their alleged involvement in examination malpractice at the just-ended Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The suspects were picked up during a nationwide crackdown on examination malpractices by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

Head of Public Affairs, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), John Kapi, who disclosed this when speaking with JoyNews, said no student has been arrested in connection with the malpractice cases, stating, “A total of 43 people have been arrested so far, and all of them are teachers,” he stated.

Mr. Kapi said students suspected of wrongdoing are usually questioned and their statements taken for investigations instead of being detained.

“Usually, students are not put under arrest. Their statements are taken and brought back to the office for further investigation before a final decision is taken about them,” he said.

WAEC has intensified efforts to stop examination leakages and restore confidence in the country’s examination system.

Meanwhile, the Council says it is fully ready for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), with the English oral paper scheduled for Wednesday, May 13.

Mr Kapi disclosed that some practical examinations and subjects, including Cost Accounting, have already been conducted successfully.

He explained that WAEC had earlier focused more attention on the BECE because of the huge number of candidates and the overlap with preparations for the WASSCE.

“Because of the numbers, especially coinciding with the BECE, we gave priority to the BECE. Now for this week, the oral English paper is going to take place, and as the weeks go by, we will get into full throttle,” he added.

WAEC has warned that strict monitoring will continue throughout the WASSCE period to clamp down on cheating and maintain the integrity of the examinations.