The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is an
examination board
An examination board (or exam board) is small board organization that sets examinations, is responsible for marking them, and distributes results. Some are run by governmental entities; some are run as not-for-profit organizations.
List of nati ...
established by law to determine the examinations required in the public interest in the English-speaking West African countries, to conduct the examinations and to award certificates comparable to those of equivalent examining authorities internationally. Established in 1952, the council has contributed to education in Anglophone countries of
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...
(
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
,
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
,
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...
,
Liberia
Liberia (), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean ...
, and
the Gambia
The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...
), with the number of examinations they have coordinated, and certificates they have issued. They also formed an endowment fund, to contribute to the education in West Africa, through lectures, and aid to those who cannot afford education. Since established it continues to be one of the biggest and most globally recognized exams in West Africa.
Dr. Adeyegbe, former HNO of WAEC Nigeria (2004) said "the council has developed a team of well-trained and highly motivated staff, and has administered Examinations that are valid and relevant to the educational aspirations of member countries".
[Dr. Adeyegbe, S. (2004). Retrieved April 12, 2006, from http://www.waecnigeria.org/home.htm] In a year, over three million candidates registered for the exams coordinated by WAEC.
[Achievemhow can i check my west african examination council bwith my phone number
ent of WAEC. (2004). Retrieved April 12, 2006, from http://www.ghanawaec.org/about3.htm] The council also helps other examination bodies (both local and international) in coordinating Examinations.
History
The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, University of London School Examinations Matriculation Council and West African Departments of Education met in 1948, concerning
education
Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...
in
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...
.
[Brief history of the Council. (2004). The West African Examinations Council Diary. Lagos. Academy Press Plc.]
The meeting was called to discuss the future policy of
education
Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...
in
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...
. At the meeting, they appointed Dr.
George Barker Jeffery
George Barker Jeffery FRS (9 May 1891 – 27 April 1957) was a leading mathematical physicist in the early twentieth century. He is probably best known to the scientifically literate public as the translator of papers by Albert Einstein, Hendri ...
(Director of the
University Of London Institute Of Education) to visit some West African countries, so as to see the general
education
Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...
level and requirements in
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Maurit ...
. At the end of Jeffery's three-month visit (December 1949 – March 1950) to Ghana,
the Gambia
The Gambia,, ff, Gammbi, ar, غامبيا officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is the smallest country within mainland AfricaHoare, Ben. (2002) ''The Kingfisher A-Z Encyclopedia'', Kingfisher Publicatio ...
,
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...
, and
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
, he tendered a report (since known as Jeffery report) strongly supporting the need for a West African Examination Council, and making detailed recommendations on the composition and duties of the council.
Following this report, the groups met with the
governments
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is a ...
of these countries, and they agreed on establishing a West African Examination Council, fully adopting Jeffery's recommendations.
The Establishment of the Council
The
legislative assemblies of Nigeria, Ghana,
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...
, and the Gambia passed an
law, ordinance (West African Examinations Council Ordinance NO. 40) approving th
West AfricanExamination Council in December 1951.
[History. (2004). Retrieved April 12, 2006, from http://www.waecnigeria.org/history.htm] The
Ordinance
Ordinance may refer to:
Law
* Ordinance (Belgium), a law adopted by the Brussels Parliament or the Common Community Commission
* Ordinance (India), a temporary law promulgated by the President of India on recommendation of the Union Cabinet
* ...
agreed to the coordination of exams, and issuing of certificates to students in individual countries by the West African Examination Council. Liberia later issued their
law, ordinance in 1974, at the annual meeting held in
Lagos
Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...
, Nigeria.
After the success of forming an examination council, the council called a first meeting in
Accra
Accra (; tw, Nkran; dag, Ankara; gaa, Ga or ''Gaga'') is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , ...
, Ghana in March 1953. In the meeting, the registrar briefed everybody about the progress of the council. In that same meeting, five committees were formed to assist the council. These committees are: Administrative and Finance Committee, School Examinations Committee, Public Service Examinations Committee, The Professional, Technical and Commercial Examinations Committee, and the Local Committee.
The total number of people present for this meeting was 26.
Attendance of first meeting
Below is the list of people who were present during the first meeting held by the West African Examination Council.
# Mr. A. N Galsworthy (Chairman of the council)
#
George Barker Jeffery
George Barker Jeffery FRS (9 May 1891 – 27 April 1957) was a leading mathematical physicist in the early twentieth century. He is probably best known to the scientifically literate public as the translator of papers by Albert Einstein, Hendri ...
(Chief Secretary of the West African Inter-Territorial Secretariat)
# Mr. J. L. Brereton (Secretary of the Cambridge Syndicate)
# 13 members nominated by the governments of Nigeria, Ghana,
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...
, and the Gambia.
# 10 Observers, one of whom was Constance Rulka, who would later become the Chief Examiner, and, appointed Assistant Registrar of the West African Examinations Council, and put in charge of examinations in English at all levels in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia.
50th birthday celebration
In March 2002, the Council celebrated their 50th anniversary in
Abuja
Abuja () is the capital and eighth most populous city of Nigeria. Situated at the centre of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Plann ...
, Nigeria. The theme of the Anniversary was "WAEC: 50 years of Excellence".
All member countries joined in the celebration in their respective countries, apart from the general celebration in
Abuja
Abuja () is the capital and eighth most populous city of Nigeria. Situated at the centre of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s based on a master plan by International Plann ...
, Nigeria. During this anniversary the book, "The West African Examinations Council (1952-2002): Half a century of Commitment to Excellence and Regional Cooperation", was launched.
Structure of the Council
The West African Examination Council is known to have a strong committee. The structure of the council is divided into three major parts: International committees, National Committees, and Subcommittees.
[Committee structure of the Council. (2004). Retrieved March 27, 2006, from http://www.ghanawaec.org/about3.htm]
The International Committee treat matters affecting all member countries and also harmonizes national views pertaining to policies of the council as a whole. The National committees handle matters relating to specific member countries. It also assists in the articulation of national views on issues affecting the policy of the council as a whole. The subcommittees work on various aspects of the council's activities. The Finance committee, for example, is in charge of WAEC's financial status. There are many subcommittees, and they assist both the International and National committees.
Examinations conducted
The council conducts four different categories of examinations.
They are International Examinations, National Examinations, Examinations conducted in collaboration with other examining bodies, and Examinations conducted on behalf of other examining bodies.
[Exams. (2004). Retrieved April 12, 2006, from http://www.waecnigeria.org/exams_1.htm] The International exams are exams taken in the five countries with the WAEC ordinance. It consists of:
WASSCE
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a type of standardized test in West Africa. Students who pass the exam receive a certificate confirming their graduation from secondary education. It is administered by the West Af ...
(West African Senior School Certificate Examination):
* WASSCE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES (FIRST SERIES) JANUARY–FEBRUARY
* WASSCE FOR (SCHOOL CANDIDATES) MARCH - MAY
* WASSCE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES (MAIN GCE) SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER
The National examinations are taken in individual countries. They include:
* the Junior Secondary School Certificate for Nigeria and the Gambia,
* Junior and Senior High School Certificate Examinations for Liberia,
* National Primary School and Basic Education Certificate Examinations for
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...
,
* Basic Education Certificate Examinations for Ghana, and
* Senior School Certificate Examinations for Ghana.
The council also coordinates examinations in collaboration with some trustworthy examination bodies. These include:
*
City and Guilds of London Institute
The City and Guilds of London Institute is an educational organisation in the United Kingdom. Founded on 11 November 1878 by the City of London and 16 livery companies – to develop a national system of technical education, the institute has ...
*
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), also known as the Royal Society of Arts, is a London-based organisation committed to finding practical solutions to social challenges. The RSA acronym is used m ...
[Overview. (2004). Retrieved April 12, 2006, from http://www.waecnigeria.org/overview.htm]
*
WAEC Research Institute WAEC may refer to:
*WAEC (AM), a radio station (860 AM) licensed to Atlanta, Georgia, United States
*West African Examinations Council
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is an examination board established by law to determine the exam ...
The council also conducts examination in West Africa on behalf of international examination bodies. These include:
*
University of London
The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degree ...
GCE
*
Scholastic Aptitude Test
The SAT ( ) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. Since its debut in 1926, its name and scoring have changed several times; originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, it was later called the Schol ...
and
Graduate Record Examinations
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada and a few other countries. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Servi ...
for
Educational Testing Service
Educational Testing Service (ETS), founded in 1947, is the world's largest private nonprofit educational testing and assessment organization. It is headquartered in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, but has a Princeton address.
ETS develops var ...
,
Princeton, USA, and
*
JAMB
A jamb (from French ''jambe'', "leg"), in architecture, is the side-post or lining of a doorway or other aperture. The jambs of a window outside the frame are called “reveals.” Small shafts to doors and windows with caps and bases are know ...
(Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board) examination in countries outside Nigeria.
The council issues credible and reliable certificates to candidates that participate in the Examinations. And the standard of this certificates matches with that of the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
. This is because the WAEC
Ordinance
Ordinance may refer to:
Law
* Ordinance (Belgium), a law adopted by the Brussels Parliament or the Common Community Commission
* Ordinance (India), a temporary law promulgated by the President of India on recommendation of the Union Cabinet
* ...
empowered the council to conduct Examinations and award certificates, provided the certificates don't have a lower standard compared to their equivalent certificates of examining authorities in the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
.
Lectures given
The Endowment fund started giving lectures in March 1996. At the 30th anniversary in 1982, the endowment fund was inaugurated with the aim of promoting educational developments that are geared at improving education at international levels and also giving of prizes to overall outstanding candidates during the examminations. Below are the lectures and the names of the speakers.
* 1996 - "The Role of WAEC in the Promotion of
Democracy
Democracy (From grc, δημοκρατία, dēmokratía, ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation (" direct democracy"), or to choose gov ...
, Sustainable Development and International Cooperation in West Africa" by Prof.
E. A. Boateng
Ernest Amano Boateng was a Ghanaian academic and public servant. He was an emeritus professor of geography who taught at the University of Ghana. He was the first vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and the first chairman of the then ...
of Ghana.
* 1997 - "The Dual Mandate: Teaching and Examining" by Prof. Eldred Jones of
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone,)]. officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia to the southeast and Guinea surrounds the northern half of the nation. Covering a total area of , Sierra ...
.
* 1998 - "Not in Our Stars" by Prof. V. Chukwuemeka Ike of Nigeria.
* 1999 - "And Miles to Go Before I Sleep" by Dr. Lenrie Peters of the Gambia.
* 2000 - "Encourage the Best, Support the Rest" by Mr. Moore T. Worrel of Liberia.
* 2001 - "The Language Factor in Education- Teaching, Learning and Examining" by Prof. Florence A. Dolphyne of Ghana.
* 2002 - "Education for National Redemption" by Prof. J. A. Ayoade of Nigeria.
* 2003 - "The Role and Relevance of the West African Examinations Council within the Context of the Realities and Challenges of our Times" by Dr. M. B. Joof of the Gambia.
* 2004 - "Developing and Strengthening a Sustainable Modern Science and Technology Human Resource Base and Culture in West Africa" by Prof. Ernest H. M. Wright.
* 2005 - "Taking Stock of the Remnants after the Years of the Locust" by Monsignor Dr. Robert G. Tikpor
* 2006 - "Quality Assurance in Public Examinations" by Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah
* 2007 - "The Teacher in Leadership" by Prof. I.E.Nwana
* 2008 - "Enhanced Agricultural Education: An Inevitable Necessity for our Survival" by Rt. Rev. Dr.S. Tilewa Johnson
* 2009 - "Globalization and the Challenges for Education in a Post-Conflict Situation: A Sierra Leone Perspective" by Prof. Abdullah A. Mansaray
* 2010 - "The West African Examinations Council: Pan-Africanism, Gender and Development" by Dr. Evelyn S. Kandakai
* 2011 - "Towards Excellence in the Teaching and Learning of the Language of Science" by Prof. D. A. Akyeampong
* 2012 - "Nipping Educational Failure in the Bud" by Prof. Pius Augustine Ike Obanya
* 2013 - "Rethinking Teaching, Learning and Examining for Quality Enhancement in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Roles, Challenges and Prospects of Digital Technologies" by Prof. Mohammadou M. O. Kah
* 2014 - "Last to be Hired, First to be Fired: Addressing the Challenges of Teacher Management in the Provision of Quality Education in Sierra Leone" by Prof. E. J. D. Thompson
* 2015 - "What Else Are We Writing on the Slate: A Holistic Preparation of the Youth" by Hon.
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan (born April 7, 1970) served from 2012 to 2015 as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, in the administration of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Ngafuan was Minister of Finance for Liberia during Johnson-Sirleaf's f ...
, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Liberia
* 2016 - "Performance in Mathematics and Science: Breaking the Jinx" - by Prof. Jonathan A. Fletcher
* 2017 - "Revamping Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students: The Pivotal Role of WAEC from a Nigerian Perspective" by Prof. Amos Shaibu
* 2018 - "Development Partners/Government Partnership in Education Sector Financing: Perspective Roles, Opportunities and Responsibilities in the Identification of Needed Improvement Interventions, the Eventual Design of Related Projects and the Provisions for Effective Implementation" by Dr. Baboucarr S. Sarr
*2019 - "Innovative Approaches to Measuring Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Students" by Prof. Joe A. D. Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Sierra Leone.
*2020 - "Treading on Slippery Ground: Calling Education to Account." by Prof. Kafui Etsey of the Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Vision of the Council
To be a world-class examining body, adding value to the educational goals of its stakeholders.
The council current chairman is Professor, Ato Essuman who was elected during the 69th meeting of the council which held virtually from march 22–26, 2021. Professor Ato Essuman is Ghanaian.
Mission of the Council
Generally, the Council have several missions, most of which is to maintain the standard they have achieved. The Missions of the West African Examination Council are:
# To maintain internationally accepted procedures
# To keep providing qualitative and reliable educational assessment
# To keep promoting sustainable human resources development, mutual understanding and international cooperation.
Heads of Office
* The Gambia: Mr. Odukoya Victor Opeyemi, B.Sc., Ed; M.Ed. (Eval.) Ag. Head of National Office.
* Liberia: Mr. Amah Emmanuel, B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A. Head of National Office.
* Ghana: Mrs. Wendy Addy-Lamptey B.Sc. (Hons); Dip (Ed); M. A. (Meas&Eval); PGD (Pub. Admin)
* Nigeria: Mr. Williams Joshua O. B.Sc., M.Sc., Head of National Office
* Sierra Leone: Mr. Okonkwo Chisom Vincent, B.A. (Ed), M.Ed. Head of National Office.
Issues
There have been some concerns about the efficiency of WAEC as a body. An important episode was an examination leakage scandal in the 1970s, called the Owosho scandal. The scandal was a result of leakage of examination answer slips to students by an official prior to the conduct of the exam. This led to the cancellation of results in some examination centers and some students were asked to take the exam with their juniors the following year. Also in 1977, there was a much wider examination of leakage and malpractice at examination centers which led to what was termed EXPO 77.
By 1982, there were allegations that exams were sold and to combat these types of malpractices, examinations were cancelled at some centers affecting both innocent and guilty students.
The organisation as a whole has failed to keep a rigorous and challenging curriculum. In 2019, WAEC still offers students the option to study subjects like short hand . A tool which was used by secretaries in the 1950s and has fallen out of style in the modern age of computers. One may argue that the lack of an efficient examination body is one of the reasons why the performance of youth in west African countries pale in comparison to western and sub continental counterparts. The fact that the syllabus still remains what it was when the organisation was first founded is proof of the lack of an effective body.
On August 16, 2020, a day before the commencement of WASSCE, there was an alleged circulation of the mathematics paper scheduled for August 17 on social media. However, the council swiftly debunked the reports, described them as fake, and typical of scammers every other examination year. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr Patrick Areghan, WAEC Head of National Office reacted to the reports widely circulated on social media, saying it was " false, malicious, misleading and wicked".
See also
*
WASSCE
The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is a type of standardized test in West Africa. Students who pass the exam receive a certificate confirming their graduation from secondary education. It is administered by the West Af ...
*
NECO
References
External links
Official WebsiteWAEC Nigeria WebsiteWAEC Result CheckerWAEC Timetable
{{authority control
Educational institutions established in 1951
Educational organizations based in Africa
Qualifications awarding bodies
School examinations
1951 establishments in the British Empire
Secondary school qualifications