Exam malpractice: Educationist urges WAEC to replace invigilators with CCTV cameras

Educational Specialist, Devine Kpe, has urged WAEC to adopt technology-driven solutions, including CCTV cameras, to curb the rising cases of examination malpractice.

He explained that while digitalization is capital-intensive, it would prove a cost-saving and effective one-time investment, eliminating the need for large numbers of human invigilators and ensuring stricter monitoring of candidates.

“You may not even need invigilators in the room. Using cameras, they will be more cautious than teachers in the room,” Kpe told ABC News GH.

He argued that investing in surveillance technology would reduce opportunities for collusion between teachers and students, which has become a recurring problem during exams.

His advice follows disturbing developments in the 2025 WASSCE.

At Kasoa, three individuals, including a teacher and two university students, were jailed by the Ofaakor District Court for offences ranging from impersonation to dictating leaked answers.

In another instance, WAEC confirmed that over 15 people, including invigilators, had been arrested across the country for exam-related fraud.

Kpe said the recurring scandals show that the fight against malpractice cannot rely solely on manpower.

He added that money saved from hiring hundreds of invigilators each year could be redirected toward camera systems and other digital monitoring tools that provide long-term security.

“At the end of the day, it is a one-time venture, and the money you will be using to pay invigilators, you can even save that,” he stressed.

He further called on WAEC to make sanctions against offenders a matter of continuous public record, ensuring that both teachers and students remain aware of the consequences.

He encouraged a wider collaboration between WAEC, the police, and civil society groups to making the matter a national concern.

By Ruth Sekyi – [email protected]