Educational Specialist, Devine Kpe, has called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take a tougher stance against teachers caught engaging in examination malpractice.
He argued that dismissing such teachers and revoking their licenses would send a strong deterrent message, unlike the current system that often ends in small fines or light sanctions.
Speaking to ABC News GH, Kpe noted that the increasing involvement of teachers in examination fraud is deeply worrying, particularly as it threatens the credibility of Ghana’s education system.
“Beyond arresting and some cases fined few amounts of monies, Ghana Education Service should revise their laws adding the dismissal of teachers engaging in examination malpractice,” he said. He stressed that losing one’s job would discourage teachers far more effectively than monetary penalties.
His call comes in the wake of multiple arrests during the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
WAEC confirmed that at least 15 individuals, including invigilators, have been arrested for offences such as impersonation and the use of mobile phones at exam centres.
In one of the most striking cases, the Kasoa-Ofaakor District Magistrate Court sentenced a teacher, Samuel Armah of Ghana College SHS, to eight months in prison for dictating leaked Social Studies answers to candidates.
Kpe believes such cases highlight the urgent need for firmer institutional measures. He urged WAEC to continue publishing sanctions publicly and involve the police and civil society groups in a broader campaign against malpractice.
“Once they also add their voice and other civil society to champion the campaign, many will take the matter seriously,” he said.
By Ruth Sekyi – [email protected]
