The West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is set to begin today, August 19, 2024.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) commenced the administration of practical and theory papers for school candidates on August 19, 2024.

This comes after the continuation of the WASSCE process following the completion of the visual arts project, which ran from August 5 to August 16, 2024.

According to WAEC, the exams are set to conclude on Friday, September 20, 2024.

In a press release dated August 19, WAEC reported a total of 460,611 registered candidates, comprising 212,954 males and 247,657 females from 1,003 schools.

“This figure is 2.66% higher than the 2023 entry figure of 448,674. The examination is taking place at 1,000 centres across the country,” a piece of the press release read.

WAEC has assured stakeholders and the public that stringent measures have been put in place to ensure a fair and successful examination process.

However, the Council expressed concern over reports of attempts to undermine the integrity of the examinations.

“Candidates in some parts of the country are being charged sums of money between Gh¢200.00 and Gh¢500.00 in order to receive assistance from invigilators. Supervisors at some centres are planning to assign teachers to invigilate subjects they teach and some schools have registered persons who are not their bona fide students.”

WAEC has issued a stern warning to heads of schools, supervisors, and invigilators to refrain from such practices.

The Council stated that any involvement in these fraudulent activities would result in severe consequences, including the nullification of candidates’ entries and the cancellation of results for any candidates caught cheating.

Also, non-compliant examination centres may be relocated to designated WAEC centres.

The Council also advised candidates to adhere strictly to examination rules and be cautious of certain websites that offer fake questions.

“Candidates are advised to adhere to the rules and regulations of the examination and be wary of the activities of rogue website operators, whose primary duty is to circulate fake questions and lure candidates into subscribing to these questions thereby taking their focus off their books.”